"I don't see" one Sheffield Wednesday situation playing out in January - the summer will be different though | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has named the players who could depart in January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield Wednesday endured a hectic summer transfer window in which multiple players walked away from the club by having their contracts terminated.

Financial issues led to the departures of the likes of Michael Smith and Josh Windass, with coach Danny Rohl also leaving the club.

It has led to a very difficult first half of the campaign, with Henrik Pedersen’s side rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

Points deductions have all but assured that the Owls will be suffering relegation to League One in 2026.

However, the winter market could still prove a busy period for the Yorkshire outfit, particularly with a change in ownership on the horizon.

Sheffield Wednesday January departures claim

When asked if there is a player who almost left in the summer that could leave in January, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit mentioned the likes of Nathan Lowe, Yan Valery or Pierce Charles.

However, he believes the full-back may be too distracted by his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, and that summer exits for him and Lowe might be more likely at this stage, as they will not want to compete at a League One level next season.

“Of course if we go back to the crazy summer that was for Sheffield Wednesday, I’m surprised a lot more senior players didn’t leave,” McKenna told Football League World.

“The likes of Max Lowe were very close. I suppose anyone could go, Pierce Charles, Yan Valery.

“So, these guys are still with us, and if Dejphon Chansiri had not left the club in disgrace I’d say all those players would definitely be looking out in January.

“However, Valery will be at the Africa Cup of Nations, so I think he will be distracted, and won’t be looking to transfer then.

“Max Lowe possibly would still be looking out, but he may be happy to see the season out, and come summer there will be a lot of upheaval at the club and I think it could be hard to hold onto someone like Yan Valery in the summer because he’s too good for League One.

“But, I don’t see an exodus in January now, but summer will be different.

“You won’t blame players for not wanting a season in League One at this stage in their career, but hopefully we will be able to get players in this time to counter any losses to prevent us from playing out the season with a paper thin squad.”

Pedersen’s side have struggled on the pitch as a result of off-field issues, with Sheffield Wednesday going into administration on 24 October.

This is the Owls’ third year back in the Championship, with Rohl overseeing 20th and 12th place finishes in the two prior terms.

However, that run is likely to come to an end due to the significant gap they already face to the teams above due to points deductions.

Sheffield Wednesday are a sitting duck in January

Sheffield Wednesday’s league position going into January means clubs can already start picking off players who will want to avoid League One football.

Their financial situation may also require a player sale or two in order to keep things ticking over, depending on the progress of a potential takeover.

Valery and Charles are both likely to attract interest, and it wouldn’t be too surprising if Lowe made the move away from Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping they can get by until the summer with these players, as they are at risk of having a very small squad for the second half of the campaign if players go in the winter market.