Sheffield Wednesday remain in need of fresh blood ahead of the summer transfer window closing in a month's time. The Owls have taken their tally of summer signings to 12 last Friday afternoon by completing the signing of Hull City striker Mason Burstow. The 22-year-old has joined the Owls on a season-long loan deal, adding some much-needed firepower to Henrik Pedersen's squad. Burstow acquitted himself well during his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, scoring 12 goals to help them secure promotion to the Championship via the League One play-off final.
What are the weaknesses?
As pre-season demonstrated, there was a huge gulf between Wednesday's strongest starting XI and their second string, highlighting the obvious need for greater squad depth. Wednesday lack numbers at left-back, in central midfield, on both flanks and up front, meaning plenty of work is still required before the transfer window closes.
What comes next?
The goalkeeping department has been overhauled, so it would be a surprise to see any further additions in that area of the squad, while the prospect of Yan Valery staying at Hillsborough would almost certainly bring any talk of another right-back coming in to an end. Although Wednesday have had fitness issues at centre-back during pre-season, they are very well stocked in that area. In fact, they are so well stocked that it would be no surprise to see one or two youngsters head out on loan.
Current squad:
The Owls' first-team squad is shaping up as follows: Goalkeepers: Joe Lumley, Ashley Maynard-Brewer & Connal Trueman. Defenders: Liam Palmer, Yan Valery, Jordi Liongola, Sean Fusire, Di’Shon Bernard, Liam Cooper, Ricardo Santos, Sil Swinkels, Gabriel Otegbayo, Ernie Weaver, Cole McGhee, Joe Emery & Max Lowe. Midfielders: Billy Mitchell, Barry Bannan, Callum Slattery & Jarvis Thornton. Attackers: Will Grainger, Charlie McNeill, Louie Barry, Harry Gray, Mason Burstow, Jamal Lowe & George Brown.
What are the next steps for Sheffield Wednesday?
With four weeks of the transfer window remaining, Wednesday have brought in 12 new recruits, meaning they have made significant progress, but there is undoubtedly more work to be done. The prospect of Wednesday ending the transfer window with 20 new signings has not been dismissed, meaning they may be only just over halfway through their recruitment drive. Ahead of the campaign getting under way against Bolton in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Hillsborough this weekend, here is an overview of how the Owls' first-team squad is shaping up.
Sheffield Wednesday are currently 24th in the Championship, with 0 points from 2 games, and a goal difference of -60. They are 95 points behind leaders Coventry. Their next fixture is against Bolton at home on August 8th, and they have scored 29 goals and conceded 89 so far this season.
