Sheffield Wednesday keen to keep hold of promising young goalkeeper, new contract offered

Sheffield Wednesday have offered a professional contract to Logan Stretch, according to a report by The Star.

Sheffield Wednesday are keen to keep hold of the youngster. SWFC are preparing for another year in the Championship after finishing in 12th place in the table this past season.

Stretch, 18, is a highly-rated goalkeeper and is being tipped for a bright future with the Yorkshire outfit. He is currently under a scholarship deal.

In this latest update regarding his situation, The Star report his current club have lodged a deal to him. The report adds that Ernie Weaver, Sutura Kakay and Joe Emery have been offered contracts too.

It remains to be seen whether Danny Rohl will remain in charge at Hillsborough. He said earlier this month, as per BBC Sport: “I know what I want to do, my picture is very clear. But it’s also part of the decision-making of the club.”

He added: “I will not forget this place. It doesn’t matter what happens now. To have such a relationship so quickly, such a belief, such hope, such a respectful togetherness – I can’t have expected this when I took over. It will be part of the bottom of my heart.”

Sheffield Wednesday offer Logan Stretch contract

Sheffield Wednesday could see Stretch as someone capable of breaking into their first-team down the line. SWFC signed him back in 2023.

Prior to his move to the Owls, he spent time at Liverpool in the Premier League. He has since risen up through the ranks of the second tier side.

The Wales youth international has been a regular for the Under-18’s over recent times. He will now be looking to play for the Under-21’s, assuming he stays.

Sheffield Wednesday have seen James Beadle head back to Brighton and Hove Albion. That leaves Pierce Charles and Ben Hamer as their senior goalkeeping options.

What now for Sheffield Wednesday?

Sheffield Wednesday are keeping one eye on the future by offering deals to players like Stretch. However, they are still heading into an uncertain period right now.

Rohl’s future needs resolving as soon as possible. Is if is leaving, it must happen soon to give the Owls time to find the right replacement.

The German joined them back in 2023 and managed to guide them to survival against the odds in his first year. His team then challenged in the upper reaches of the league last term under tough off-field circumstances.

For more SWFC news direct to your phone, CLICK HERE to download our mobile app!

Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals Sheffield Wednesday fear amid ongoing Danny Rohl issue

Sheffield Wednesday look to be heading for a summer of transition as we wave goodbye to the 2024/25 season.

Having rescued the Owls from relegation last season and move them up to mid-table this term, Danny Rohl is attracting plenty of interest elsewhere.

But that’s not all, with Wednesday having at least 15 players seeing their contracts expire in the coming weeks, including the likes of top goalscorer Josh Windass.

We asked pundit Don Goodman whether, given the wholesale changes potentially on the way, Wednesday are on course for a tough season.

Wednesday may suffer against tougher Championship opposition

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “It probably feels that the likelihood, certainly of Danny Rohl, being at Sheffield Wednesday next season is almost zero, you would imagine, which makes you concerned that they won’t be as comfortable in the middle of the table as they have been this season.

“I do feel that the Championship will probably be a little bit stronger next season than it has been this season.

“I think it’s been one of the weaker editions in terms of the depth of quality in the Championship, and that’s why a very, very low points total in 68 has allowed Bristol City to finish in sixth.

“So, what we’re saying is Sheffield Wednesday have been mid-table in a very weak Championship season.

“So, there’s a lot of work to be done off the pitch through the summer for Sheffield Wednesday, number one: trying to persuade Danny Rohl, and number two: trying to attract players that will give them a better opportunity at competing at the top end of the table.

“But, obviously, the off-field problems need solving before they can move forward.”

Problems are mounting for the Owls

It’s no surprise that Rohl is being linked with the likes of Rangers, Southampton and Bundesliga sides, given the turnaround he has brought about at Hillsborough Stadium.

He has largely been credited with the ascension from relegation battlers to mid-table comfort and, if that’s true, the Owls would already be in trouble.

Add that to the list of players potentially leaving the club for nothing this summer, including stars like Windass and Barry Bannan.

Losing such figureheads in the dressing room and Rohl at the same time makes a drop down the table seem more likely, especially when accounting for Goodman’s observation that this campaign overall has not been the strongest Championship ever seen.

But, sadly, that’s not all for the Owls.

It feels like almost a full rebuild could be required this season, but it comes as controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri is still at the helm.

Only a couple of months ago, Owls players were paid their wages late, which followed more than one occasion of the club being placed under a registration embargo due to financial issues.

It does not strike the tone of a club ready to invest in wholesale, quality changes to account for the departure of such important figures at the club.

If, as Goodman suggests, the Championship is much stronger next season, then the Owls could be in for a tough campaign.