Coventry City boss comments on Sheffield Wednesday sensational striker ahead of key decision
Sheffield Wednesday target, James Beadle, may play a big part in Brighton & Hove Albion’s preseason this summer.
The 19-year-old shot-stopper enjoyed an excellent campaign in 2023/24, first on loan at Oxford United in League One and then with the Owls in the second half of the season as he stepped up a division. The Star has reported previously that Wednesday are eager to try and get him back next season.
Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, and a large part of the decision lays in the hands of Brighton boss, Roberto De Zerbi, who will be getting a good look at the England youth international over the summer.
The Seagulls have some exciting options in the goalkeeping department at present, with Carl Rushworth – who is three years older than Beadle – putting in a number of strong performances in goal for Swansea City on a loan of his own this past season. Both of them, it appears, will feature in preseason given that Bart Verbruggen and Tom McGill will be away with their respective national teams.
“Beadle and Rushworth are both very good goalkeepers,” he told the media. “Maybe in pre-season we start with both because Bart will play in Europe and Tom the Copa America with Canada. I will have much time to analyse both.”
It will be after that analysis that a decision will be made on Beadle’s future, and where he might end up, so it could be that the Owls need to be patient in their pursuit of the goalkeeper until De Zerbi has made up his mind on that front.
However, things gradually began to turn around when Danny Rohl was appointed manager in October.
The German claimed 16 wins in his 38 games in charge as he guided the Owls to safety – with only Darren Moore, Carlos Carvalhal and Gary Megson picking up a higher win percentage in the last 60 years.
A six-game unbeaten run at the end of the season means that Wednesday will be once again playing in the Championship next term, and it looks increasingly likely that Rohl will be still be at the helm.
Reports have claimed that the Yorkshire outfit have held ‘positive’ talks over the 35-year-old’s future, and their chances of moving further up the table could be boosted if he sticks around.
Wednesday fans will be even more excited about staying in the second division because it guarantees the return of the Steel City derby, with Sheffield United’s relegation being confirmed with three games to go.
The two clubs haven’t faced each other since the 2018/19 season, while Wednesday have won only one of their previous seven meetings.
