Sheffield Wednesday hired a new recruitment chief in Kevin Beadell on Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday spent the best part of a half-a-year with a recruitment chief in place.
But now, the Owls have a former Arsenal and Manchester United recruitment figure in Beadell, who’s been appointed Head of Recruitment.
Beadell most recently held the same position at Cardiff City for three years and he arrives at Hillsborough just in time, with the January transfer window only a few weeks away.
And with Sheffield Wednesday rooted to the foot of the table, it looks like Beadell will help oversee one of the most integral January windows in the club’s modern history.
Beadell predicts widespread search for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday’s summer transfer window was a messy one.
They quickly put together what’s since proved to be a misshaped and unbalanced side, with certain areas perhaps over-stocked and others lacking.
But the Owls made good use of different markets bringing in players from England and from overseas, and that’s something that Sheffield Wednesday will look to do again next month.
Speaking to The Star, Beadell gave this insight into what January might hold for the Owls:
“I think it’s important for us as a recruitment team to be very active. My experience will allow us to look at all markets. I like to think I’ve been particularly strong within the loan markets with relationships I have at the big clubs, so that’s an important avenue for us.
“But we’re open, and so is the manager, in looking at all markets. Players that are experienced in England and the Championship, which we know is a very tough league but also, equally, we will look at markets in Europe, the MLS and other emerging areas.”
Where do the Owls need to strengthen?
Given their league position, Sheffield Wednesday could do with quality in every department.
But it seems unlikely that the Owls will spend huge amounts, if anything, with loans looking like the key market Sheffield Wednesday will target, as Beadell alludes to.
Strikers seems to be the main focus point ahead of January with owner Dejphon Chansiri apparently ready to dip into his pocket and pay up to £30,000-a-week for the right loan striker.
There’s options out there who could yet be of great use to the Owls, but Danny Rohl will surely be keen to see that funding spread out across different positions.
Rohl could do with a more experienced winger to compliment the likes of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama who remain raw, and a new goalkeeper might come into the conversation if the position remains a contested one ahead of January.
But appointing Beadell is certainly a positive step ahead of January and it’ll give the Owls a much improved chance of having an efficient month.