As things stand, Sheffield Wednesday look set to lose 15 players at the end of the season – including loans. That means the Sheffield Wednesday starting 11 for the opening game of the 2025/26 season could look a lot different.
The Owls finished the 2024/25 season in 12th place. Many Sheffield Wednesday fans would have taken that at the start of the season, but their flirtation with the play-offs suggested they could have finished higher.
Now, Wednesday fans have got the nervous wait to see who will still be here next season. Not only do they need to wait to see what players will be staying, but the rumours around Danny Röhl’s future continue to rumble on.
Which Sheffield Wednesday players are out of contract?
Although the Owls haven’t confirmed who is out of contract this summer, the Star believes 12 players will be free to leave this summer. Add to that, the three loan players that will be returning to their parent clubs and Wednesday face losing 15 players this summer.
James Beadle (loan), Ben Hamer, Pol Valentin, Michael Ihiekwe, Akin Famewo, Marvin Johnson, Barry Bannan, Josh Windass, Shea Charles (loan), Stuart Armstrong, Callum Paterson, Michael Smith, Anthony Musaba, Ibrahim Cissoko (loan), and Malik Wilks are all, at the time of writing, expected to leave.
Out of that long list, it’s expected Bannan will sign a new contract. His stance has always been the same – if he is offered a new deal, he’ll sign it.
Windass is the other standout player. He became the Owls’ top scorer this century with his goal against Watford. However, a recent social media post by his dad, Dean, suggested Josh is leaving this summer. Despite the criticisms aimed at Windass by some fans, his contribution can’t be underestimated, and he’ll be an extremely hard player to replace.
Musaba is an interesting one. He’s young and has talent. At the start of the season, many thought he would have the season Djeidi Gassama has had. It’s not worked out like that for him, but he showed quality in Wednesday’s final few games. It’s hard to argue against offering him an extension.
Potential Sheffield Wednesday starting 11 for 2025/26 season
There will be lots of incomings and outgoings, we hope, before now and the start of the season – especially if all 12 out-of-contract players do leave.
With that in mind, we’ve put together how the Owls could line up for the first game of the 2025/26 season, using only the players confirmed to be here next season.
We’ve opted for a 3-4-3, a formation the Owls have used a few times this season:
Pierce Charles (GK); Di’Shon Bernard, Gabriel Otegbayo, Max Lowe; Yan Valery, Svante Ingelsson, Rio Shipston, Ryo Hatsuse; Charlie McNeil, Gassama, Bailey Cadamarteri.
On the face of it, it isn’t a bad side. However, it does rely a lot on youth, some of which haven’t experienced much Championship football.
It’s likely the team will look a lot different come the start of next season. We’ll find out more in the upcoming weeks.
