Jordan Rhodes drops exciting Sheffield Wednesday prediction | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping to build a competitive side for life in League One this summer

Sheffield Wednesday are preparing for life in League One after a disastrous campaign both on and off the pitch.

The Owls went into administration in October after months of significant financial mismanagement under Dejphon Chansiri.

It wasn’t until the final weekend of the year that the takeover led by David Storch was confirmed.

Henrik Pedersen’s side won just twice all season, including in that final fixture against West Brom at Hillsborough on 2 May.

Goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and Liam Palmer sealed a first win at Hillsborough of the term, and marked the beginning of a new era for the Owls.

The Yorkshire outfit will now be looking to rebuild the first team squad over the summer in order to return to a competitive level ahead of their first year back in League One.

Jordan Rhodes makes Sheffield Wednesday competitive level claim

Jordan Rhodes has tipped Sheffield Wednesday to excel in League One next year as Pedersen looks to rebuild the first team squad over the summer.

The Owls’ record signing praised the scenes of their final day win over West Brom, and believes there is every reason to be optimistic about the team going forward after Storch completed his takeover of the club.

“I still kind of live in the area, I have still got close friends that are season ticket holders here, so I still keep tabs as I do with most of my old clubs as well,” said Rhodes, via The Star.

“The scenes on the last day of the season looked pretty special. I am sure there will be good times ahead in League One, and no doubt, they will be a force to be reckoned with next year.”

Rhodes made the switch to Sheffield Wednesday from Middlesbrough in 2017 in a deal worth a reported £8 million.

The forward struggled for form at Hillsborough across his four years at the club, scoring 15 goals from 83 league appearances.

The now 36-year-old departed the Owls in 2021, returning to Huddersfield Town, and he ultimately retired from football in 2025.

Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping to compete for promotion back to the Championship straight away next season.

Pedersen’s side were at risk of being handed a 15 point deduction penalty as part of Storch’s takeover, but those fears were eased when the deal was finalised.

Instead, the Owls will start the next campaign on zero, offering the squad a fresh slate after a difficult year in the Championship.

The Yorkshire outfit were docked a combined total of 18 points during 2025/26 due to going into administration, as well as breaching the EFL’s financial rules.

This meant that the win over West Brom left the team on zero points as they finished 24th in the table.

Sheffield Wednesday last competed in League One in 2023, earning promotion through the play-offs under Darren Moore.

Sheffield Wednesday need a serious overhaul to compete in League One

Storch has a lot of work ahead of him to oversee a turnaround in fortune at Sheffield Wednesday.

The American will need to invest heavily in improving the first team squad, as well as the club’s infrastructure, if they’re to be competitive next season.

Pedersen endured a difficult year in charge, but has earned the chance to lead the team into the next campaign as he had to handle a lot of off-field issues that hampered their ability to compete in the Championship.

It will be a busy summer ahead at Hillsborough, but fans will be optimistic that the squad can be rebuilt and fight at a competitive level in League One.