How many goals AI thinks Jamie Vardy would score for Sheffield Wednesday in League One | OneFootball

Jamie Vardy could make a shock return to Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the upcoming League One season

Sheffield Wednesday have plotted a shock move for Jamie Vardy, who was released from the Owls' academy before enjoying a remarkable career elsewhere.

Vardy played in non-league for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town, and Fleetwood Town before joining Leicester City in the summer of 2012.

The 39-year-old established himself as one of the Foxes' greatest ever players, scoring 200 goals in 500 appearances, helping them win two Championship titles, the Premier League, and an FA Cup.

Vardy joined Cremonese last summer and has subsequently endured a Serie A relegation battle, but has enjoyed positive moments such as scoring in recent wins over Pisa and Udinese.

AI predicts how many goals Jamie Vardy would score in League One for Sheffield Wednesday

Vardy notched nine goals and four assists in 35 Premier League appearances as Leicester were relegated from the top flight last season.

His most recent campaign in the EFL proved more fruitful, as he scored 18 goals and registered two assists for the Foxes when they won the Championship title at the end of a successful 2023/24 term.

Meanwhile, Wednesday, who Vardy supported as a child, are set to oversee a major rebuild this summer, following their relegation to League One, and the takeover completed by David Storch.

The Owls' relegation from the Championship to the third tier was confirmed in February, when they were beaten 2-1 by Steel City rivals Sheffield United.

Henrik Pedersen's men were deducted 18 points by the EFL because former owner Dejphon Chansiri plunged them into administration, causing months of uncertainty before Storch's takeover.

However, the Hillsborough outfit have not been deducted a further 15 points, even though Storch's bid fell below the amount required to pay creditors 25p in the pound.

The American attempted to come to an alternative agreement with Chansiri, the main creditor, which was recognised by the EFL, who opted against the penalty.

Furthermore, the South Yorkshire side won't see their weekly wages capped at £7,000 per player, which had been feared before they exited administration.

Because Storch completed his takeover by the 1 May deadline he set himself, Henrik Pedersen's men can be active early on in the summer transfer window.

According to the Wednesday Word, key Owls figures have discussed bringing Vardy to Hillsborough Stadium ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.

Following that development, Football League World asked ChatGPT how many goals it thinks Vardy would score in the third tier for the South Yorkshire club next term.

The AI tool outlined that the former England striker would score between 16 and 22 goals in League One next term, citing his performances for Cremonese as a reason why he could be a success in Owls colours.

ChatGPT added that Wednesday would likely build their attack around Vardy, especially given the emotional boyhood club angle surrounding the news that he could move to Hillsborough.

However, AI also warned now that the former England striker is 39 years old, he could encounter fitness issues that prevent him from featuring in all 46 league games.

Jamie Vardy swoop would be a huge signal of intent from David Storch

Wednesday are under some EFL budget restrictions following their time in administration, but Storch appears keen to oversee a successful campaign that could see the Owls clinch an immediate Championship return.

Amid their quest to enjoy a strong League One season, the Hillsborough side have held internal discussions about re-signing Barry Bannan, as reported by the Wednesday Word.

Bannan established himself as an Owls legend, spending a decade-and-a-half in S6 before joining Millwall in the recent winter transfer window.

Reacquiring the former Scotland international would mean a lot to Wednesday supporters, but signing Vardy, who was playing in the Premier League just last term, would be a more major signal of intent from Storch and his Arise Capital Partners consortium.