"I can see" - Sheffield Wednesday: Di'shon Bernard and Callum Paterson transfer predictions dropped | OneFootball

FLW's Owls fan pundit can see two players being potentially involved in transfer dealings in the new year

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'sFLW fan pundit has predicted both Di'Shon Bernard and Callum Paterson to potentially be involved in transfer dealings in the new year, but he has differing views on each player's possible exit.

The Owls have had a largely indifferent start to the season, as they currently occupy 18th place in the Championship, but faith is still firmly there that head-coach Danny Rohl can take the club to new heights in the long-term.

Rohl guided Wednesday to a miraculous survival last term, and the club are now looking to build for the future and steady themselves back in the second-tier, with the German largely trusting his existing players to buy into his ideas, rather than delving too deep into the transfer market for new additions.

He put his full faith in young centre-back Di'Shon Bernard last season, after the 24-year-old had been signed last summer on a permanent deal from Manchester United, and was repaid with consistently excellent performances throughout the campaign, which have duly continued into 2024/25.

Di'Shon Bernard January transfer interest forecasted

Bernard is a product of both Chelsea and the Red Devils' academies, after he made the move from West London to Manchester at age 16, but he made just one senior appearance for United amid loan spells at Salford City, Hull City and Portsmouth.

The Jamaican international featured 36 times in all competitions for the Owls last season as they eventually avoided the drop, and has been a near mainstay so far this term, with 11 starts in the opening 13 Championship games.

Wednesday were previously reported to be facing a battle to keep hold of Bernard in the summer, as they offered him a new deal, and FLW's Owls fan pundit, Patrick McKenna, believes that interest in his signature could re-emerge in the new year off the back of his standout showings, after we asked him to predict something that he could see happening in S6 in the January transfer window.

“Based on his performances this season, I could see a bit of interest coming in for Di’Shon Bernard from some clubs," Patrick told FLW.

“Obviously, if that does happen, then Danny Rohl won’t consider letting him go at all.

“His performances this season have been superb, and that could draw suitors from clubs that are looking to strengthen in January.

“I think bids will come in throughout the month, but in my mind there is no doubt that any bids would be rejected, even if it is silly money.

“I’m kind of hoping that that scenario doesn’t come about, because if a club really wants to splash the cash then it’ll be hard for us to say no."

Exit predicted for Wednesday cult hero Callum Paterson

In terms of players that Wednesday fans would be happy to see leave, Callum Paterson is certainly not one, yet it certainly seems possible that he could depart in the new year to make space for new additions in Rohl's squad.

Paterson has been with the Owls since a 2020 move from Cardiff City, and has played varying positions in his four years at Hillsborough while becoming a fan favourite, yet now finds himself struggling for minutes, despite the club exercising their option to keep him for another year in the summer.

The 30-year-old has started all four of Wednesday's EFL Cup games this term, yet has played for just eight minutes off the bench in the Championship so far, and Patrick has predicted an exit for him in the new year, as a result of that lack of game-time.

He said: “In terms of outgoings, I don’t see a huge amount happening in that regard, however if a player was to go, Callum Paterson would be my prediction.

“He isn’t getting a lot of game-time this season, apart from a few performances in the League Cup.

“He played against Brentford and was captain, but I guess that’s down to Danny Rohl showing the respect he has for him.

“To not cast him aside is good man-management, but then there is squad management, that, if we are maybe getting one or two players in, he might be told (he can leave).

“Although you can tell Callum Paterson loves being here, and his commitment and spirit doesn’t seem to go down because of a lack of game-time, I think it would be good for his career.

“He would be the one outgoing I can see happening in January.”

It remains to be seen whether either Bernard or Paterson will depart South Yorkshire in the January window, but both will certainly be held in high regard by Wednesday fans for their respective contributions whenever they do eventually leave the club.