UPDATE: International boss claims Sheffield Wednesday gem has something ‘everyone is looking for’

International manager thinks Sheffield Wednesday jewel has something ‘everyone is looking for’
An international manager has complimented one Sheffield Wednesday gem for possessing something ‘everyone is looking for’.

Sheffield Wednesday‘s team have come under great plaudits in recent months, despite spending most of the campaign at the bottom of the Championship.

The senior team have moved on leaps and bounds under Danny Rohl, winning their final three games to secure their survival.

While the club are eager to tie down the likes of Barry Bannan, Josh Windass and Di’Shon Bernard to new contracts, they have also looked down to their academy to build on their future.

After Danny Rohl confessed that he truly hoped the Owls could maintain hold of ‘fantastic’ Pierce Charles, the goalkeeper put pen to paper on a contract extension weeks later.

It has been an exciting year for Charles, who earned his senior debut in Wednesday’s draw with Coventry City in the FA Cup at the start of the year, before following it up with another start in the replay defeat.

The 18-year-old hasn’t featured since and has usually been third-choice between the sticks, but was handed further good news when he was called up to the Northern Ireland senior team earlier this week.

Charles had only made his U21 debut in March, in a 2-1 win against Serbia.

Pierce Charles brings ‘balance’ to the Northern Ireland team
The head coach has finally explained why Charles was called up to the senior team.

We’ve known about Pierce for a long, O’Neill remarked in an interview with Belfast News Letter. He performed admirably when playing for the 21s in Serbia. Tommy Wright, the NI Under-21s manager, was thrilled with the outcome of the game—winning on the road in Serbia against a more experienced and formidable Serbian squad than the one we had that evening.

Pierce Charles of Northern Ireland during the SuperCupNI match between Manchester United and Northern Ireland, Derry, United Kingdom, July 25, 2022.

Getty Images/Sportsfile/Rammington Cardy photo
Pierce is the kind of custodian that’s in high demand in today’s game. He has excellent passing ability, maintains poise when the ball is at his feet, and we know Sheffield Wednesday thinks highly of him.

“Considering Luke Southwood’s injuries and the goalkeepers’ relative balance, I don’t see much use in inserting an older goalie into that scenario. Pierce deserved to be given the chance, and his performance in Serbia played a significant role in that. Stephen or Pierce, and Stephen McMullan has previous experience.

What is next for the eighteen-year-old custodian?
If Pierce Charles plays in either of Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Spain and Andorra, he will become just the seventh Sheffield Wednesday player to be awarded a senior international cap.

Although the teenager’s Owls debut was only in January, he is already developing quickly and may challenge for a spot in the starting lineup in the upcoming seasons.

Although Charles is obviously highly regarded at Hillsborough, he would undoubtedly be placed on loan if James Beadle were to return.

Although Cameron Dawson’s future is still uncertain, Wednesday will undoubtedly be happy to have a seasoned backup in case Beadle returns.

There is very little opportunity for Charles to showcase his potential with the U21s, therefore it is imperative that he is given one.

Before he signed a new contract, the club undoubtedly reached a decision regarding his immediate future, so maybe we can expect to see him go down the ladder to gain some crucial playing time.

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