Sheffield Wednesday will be paying close attention to what happens in the goalkeeping department at Brighton this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday have unearthed possibly their best goalkeeper since Keiren Westwood in Brighton loan man James Beadle.
The no.1 spot has often been a contested one for the Owls with plenty of names having been given the chance, but with none having ever really imposed themselves.
That is until Beadle arrived on loan in January.
He quickly replaced the divisive Cameron Dawson in goal and Danny Rohl hasn’t looked back since, with Beadle arguably putting in his best performance for the Owls in the 3-0 win over West Brom last time out.
The England U20 man has kept seven clean sheets in just 18 Championship outings for Sheffield Wednesday, compared to Dawson’s four in 18 for the Owls this season.
Should Sheffield Wednesday beat the drop on the final day of the season, then many will call for Beadle’s return to Hillsborough for the 2023/24 season.
And that may well be a very plausible move.
Brighton update could suggest potential James Beadle loan exit
Brighton have something of a welcome headache in their goalkeeping department right now.
The Seagulls have been changing between the impressive duo of Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele this season, and they also have Carl Rushworth making an impression.
He’s spent this season on loan at Swansea City and has been named their Player of the Season.
The Athletic are now reporting that Rushworth’s impressive form will give Brighton a very difficult decision to make this summer, with three goalkeepers all of a Premier League quality.
‘Something has got to give’ is the main message stemming from that.
So with Roberto De Zerbi now having to choose between three top goalkeepers next season, it surely leaves Beadle out of the picture.
Having been so impressive for Sheffield Wednesday though, Brighton will surely be wary of selling him this summer, with another loan move looking incredibly likely.
And given the fact that Beadle has shone at Wednesday under Rohl, if the Owls stay in the Championship and Rohl stays on board, another loan move for Beadle could then become very likely indeed.
Beadle remains under contract at Brighton until 2028.
Sheffield Wednesday must prioritise James Beadle return
At the end of this season, Beadle’s loan deal will expire and Dawson’s contract will expire, leaving youngster Pierce Charles as the only first-team goalkeeper at Sheffield Wednesday.
So whatever division the Owls are in, a new goalkeeper or two will definitely be needed.
And given Beadle’s situation at Brighton, expect Rohl and co to be desperate to bring him back for a full campaign next time round.
He’s really blossomed with the Owls, developing all aspects of his game, especially his shot-stopping ability.
Beadle seems to be loving life at Sheffield Wednesday and he’ll want to keep on playing regular football after an impressive 2023/24 campaign.
He won’t want to be locked away in the reserve team at Brighton whilst other names battle for the starting spot
And Brighton surely won’t want that either.
Unless other teams come in for Beadle, say top-end Championship clubs, then Sheffield Wednesday should have the first say on the 19-year-old.
Bringing him back though would be a monumental summer signing for Sheffield Wednesday.
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