EFL Championship star earns more than entire Sheffield Wednesday squad | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday could be officially relegated this weekend as they face rivals Sheffield United

Kris Wigfield has claimed that some League Two sides have a greater weekly wage bill than Sheffield Wednesday at the moment, whilst an unnamed Championship star is paid more than the Owls' entire matchday squad.

The administrator has overseen the day-to-day running of the Owls since October, with the club awaiting approval from the EFL to complete a change in ownership.

Begbies Traynor were appointed earlier in the season, and have named the offer led by James Bord as their preferred bid to take over from Dejphon Chansiri.

Wigfield has been a prominent presence at Hillsborough in recent months, and he has outlined the extent to which Sheffield Wednesday’s finances have deteriorated.

The Yorkshire outfit are preparing for life in League One already, with their relegation from the Championship likely to be confirmed this month.

Kris Wigfield outlines Sheffield Wednesday financial problems

Wigfield has claimed that there are clubs in League Two with a higher wage bill than Sheffield Wednesday now, highlighting the scope of the financial issues at Hillsborough.

The administrator has also suggested that a player signed to a Championship side in January has a higher weekly wage than the entire Owls squad, as he explains just how far behind the club are to their rivals this season.

“It’s important people understand the reality of where we are,” said Wigfield, via The Star.

“On a recent matchday, our entire matchday squad had a weekly cost in wages that amounted to less than the reported wages of one player that signed for a Championship club in the January window.

“It’s my understanding that many League Two clubs have a higher wage bill for their match day squad than we currently have.

“Our role as administrators is to stabilise the club, protect its future and exit administration cleanly.

“Henrik’s role is to keep the team competitive during that process, and he has done so with professionalism and integrity.”

Sheffield Wednesday have been deducted 18 points by the EFL this season due to financial rule breaches, including an automatic 12 point penalty for going into administration.

The Owls are on minus seven points as a result, leaving them on the cusp of relegation to League One after just 32 games played.

The gap to safety is 41 points, with 42 available for the remainder of the campaign, meaning they could already be condemned to the third tier before they even kick a ball this weekend.

Next up for Pedersen’s side is a trip to face bitter rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 22 February in a 12pm kick-off.

Sheffield Wednesday have a lot of work ahead of them under new owners

Wigfield’s revelation regarding the wage bill is a testament to how much Sheffield Wednesday are up against it competing in the Championship this season.

The current squad could even struggle to compete in League One at the moment given their lack of resources relative to clubs at that level.

This is a further sign of just how much work is ahead of the new Sheffield Wednesday owners once a takeover is completed.

It will not be a simple task bringing the Owls back to a strong competitive level, and even just winning another game this season could prove quite difficult.