Sheffield Wednesday have taken a young striker on trial, it has been revealed.
Sheffield Wednesday, especially under Danny Rohl, are placing much more emphasis on younger players.
Upon Rohl’s arrival in October, the German outlined his intention to bridge the gap between the youth teams and the first-team, having done exactly that.
Bailey Cadamarteri is the standout name to have been promoted from the Sheffield Wednesday academy to the first-team this season, having scored three goals in 19 Championship outings for the Owls.
Cadamarteri has since earned himself a long-term deal with the club and a place in the England U19s set up as well, with other names like Gui Siqueira and Joey Phuthi having made the step up at Hillsborough this season.
Sheffield Wednesday take youngster on trial
Sheffield Wednesday’s development team beat QPR 3-1 earlier this week, and the game saw an unfamiliar face featuring for the young Owls.
The Star say that Sheffield Wednesday have taken Watford striker James Collins in on trial.
The 19-year-old is currently under contract at Vicarage Road but sees his deal expire this summer, and The Star say he came close to scoring for Wednesday in their Professional Development League win over QPR this week.
Watford have the option to extend his stay by a further year.
Who is Watford striker James Collins
Collins is a product of the Hertford Town academy, having joined Watford’s set up in 2023.
He’s yet to make his first-team debut for the Hornets having spent time out on loan in the non-league instead.
Speaking to the club last year, Collins described the type of striker he is, saying:
“I play as a hold-up striker. I like to keep hold of the ball and bring others into play. Normally most of my goals come from around the penalty spot and the six-yard box. I like converting cutbacks and crosses.”
James Collins hoping to follow Bailey Cadamateri path
Cadamarteri’s emergence and subsequent impressive spells in the first-team this season has set the tone for youngsters currently at Sheffield Wednesday, or future players set to join.
Players like Collins who’s looking for his breakthrough in the Football League will increasingly start to view Sheffield Wednesday as a good destination, as Rohl is showing clear faith in the academy.
And in the long run it looks like the academy will play an increasingly more important role in the club; so long as Rohl is at the helm and giving game time to these players.
Siqueira and Phuthi haven’t had as much of an impact as Cadamarteri, who’s game time has decreased as the season’s gone on, but if the club can hire more and more younger players then the added competition will hopefully increase the overall quality of the development team.
The Sheffield Wednesday first-team is back in action against Swansea City on the Championship next weekend.
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