Fear even more players could leave Sheffield Wednesday after Windass and Smith expressed, ‘free for all’
Sheffield Wednesday’s squad has been hit hard by departures over the last few weeks.
EFL Analysis has learned that Danny Rohl will leave Sheffield Wednesday, with the possibility that the German could be placed on gardening leave.
As well as their manager’s upcoming exit, the Owls have already said goodbye to several stars.
Sheffield Wednesday were slammed for the cut-price sales of Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba this month.
Meanwhile, the club have since announced Josh Windass and Michael Smith have left after having their contracts terminated, and there’s a fear more could follow in the duo’s footsteps.
Fear more players could leave Sheffield Wednesday
Barry Bannan has reacted to Windass leaving Sheffield Wednesday this week.
The Scotsman himself is currently out of contract, but he has continued to train with the club since pre-season began.
However, concern has been expressed that after Smith and Windass, more players could be allowed to depart.
Players were allowed to terminate their contracts if wages went unpaid, and though it’s thought Wednesday did pay wages this week, the duo still left.
On the situation, journalist Joe Crann tweeted: “My concern is that whatever allowed Windass and Smith to leave #SWFC for free could well open up the door for others to follow them.
“Paying them when they did obviously didn’t sort things out, so it’s anybody’s guess what happens now. Free for all.”
Sheffield Wednesday transfer news
Despite the ongoing embargoes and players leaving in rapid succession, the club could make a signing this summer.
It’s been reported that Sheffield Wednesday have taken Mohamed Konate on trial.
He has been training with the Yorkshire club recently after being released by Portuguese side SC Covilha.
The most troubling aspect of Sheffield Wednesday player departures, survival would now be a miracle
Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking pair, Josh Windass and Michael Smith, have both left the club, leaving the Owls without one key characteristic as the 2025/26 season approaches.
Sheffield Wednesday’s squad ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign continues to take a battering, with Josh Windass and Michael Smith the next to approach the departure lounge.
They follow both Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba out of the doors at Hillsborough, with more exits likely this summer.
With it now expected that Danny Rohl will leave Sheffield Wednesday, as exclusively revealed by EFL Analysis, it is understood that Henrik Pedersen will be the German’s successor, in a role that will be hugely testing.
At this point in pre-season, Sheffield Wednesday’s squad is far from being Championship-ready, and that is highlighted by one key statistic that will leave Owls fans fearing the worst.
- READ MORE: How Sheffield Wednesday players feel about the man expected to replace Danny Rohl in 25/26
Sheffield Wednesday’s goals have been seriously depleted ahead of 2025/26
Due to the ongoing situation at Sheffield Wednesday, where Dejphon Chansiri is looking towards the first-team squad to secure short-term funding.
The latest departures, Josh Windass and Michael Smith, have had their contracts terminated. It is particularly worrying ahead of the new season, especially since the Owls have lost their top two scorers for nothing.
In fact, when looking at all of Sheffield Wednesday’s goal scorers in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, only six remain.
Below is a graphic to show the extent of goals that were scored last season by players that are currently not under a contract ahead of the new campaign at Sheffield Wednesday.
| Player | League goals scored | Currently under contract at SWFC |
| Josh Windass | 13 | No |
| Michael Smith | 8 | No |
| Djeidi Gassama | 7 | No |
| Callum Paterson | 6 | No |
| Barry Bannan | 4 | No |
| Yan Valery | 3 | Yes |
| Jamal Lowe | 3 | Yes |
| Anthony Musaba | 3 | No |
| Michael Ihiekwe | 2 | No |
| Di’Shon Bernard | 2 | Yes |
| Svante Ingelsson | 1 | Yes |
| Shea Charles | 1 | No |
| Pol Valentin | 1 | No |
| Dominic Iorfa | 1 | Yes |
| Gabriel Otegbayo | 1 | Yes |
Of the 56 goals scored in the league last season by Sheffield Wednesday players, 45 of those were scored by Owls players who are not under contract, which totals at less than 20% of goals. The top three goal scorers last season have already permanently left the club.
- READ MORE: Forget Pierce Charles, Sheffield Wednesday fans will be in uproar if Dejphon Chansiri sells ‘fantastic’ gem
Current situation places huge importance on re-signing one Owls star
There is no clear solution to what is likely to be a huge issue for Sheffield Wednesday. The large majority of their goalscoring threat has either left already or is on their way out.
Such an issue calls for Dejphon Chansiri to tie down as many players immediately ahead of the season, notably the likes of Barry Bannan.
Sheffield Wednesday have made contact with Callum Paterson with the view of potentially re-signing the utility man. As the Owls’ fourth top scorer last season, it is a no-brainer to secure his future at the club. However, Dejphon Chansiri’s record this summer of letting players go doesn’t bode well.
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