The 2024/25 campaign looks to be coming to a stuttering end for Sheffield Wednesday, and despite a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Hillsborough on Easter Monday, the mood is quite low in S6.
Danny Rohl’s future with the Owls is uncertain, and while a potential takeover has gained pace in recent days, any hopes of making the play-offs in 2024/25 were dashed a few weeks ago.
The South Yorkshire club is now one of only seven teams scheduled to play in the Championship in 2025/26, but significant improvements are required if they are to maintain their second-tier position in a year’s time.
Some signings have just not been good enough, and Football League World has looked at one of them, as well as the fee Sheffield Wednesday spent for him, following Lee Hendrie’s recent claim regarding his future at Hillsborough.
Ike Ugbo cost Sheffield Wednesday a significant amount
Ike Ugbo enjoyed a successful loan stay with the Owls at the end of last season, scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 18 Championship outings after scoring four times in 20 games for Cardiff City earlier in the season.
Rohl was desperate to bring the Canadian international back to South Yorkshire this summer, and he was successful in securing a deal with French club Troyes.
Sheffield Wednesday spent £2.5 million for Ugbo, and many expected him to continue where he left off in 2023/24, but the permanent transfer did not work out for either the club or the player, and he has had a very dismal season.
He has not scored or assisted in 33 outings, and he has only started 15 league games for the Owls in the Championship this season.
| Ike Ugbo Sheffield Wednesday stats 2024/25 (FotMob)* | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (starts) | 33 (15) |
| Minutes played | 1260 |
| Goals (assists) | 0 (0) |
| xG | 4.07 |
| Shots (on target) | 22 (5) |
| Pass accuracy | 79.1% |
| Chances created | 16 |
| Touches (in opposition box) | 370 (49) |
| *Stats correct as of 22/04/2025 | |
These failures mean that his future at Hillsborough will be debated in the summer, and with such a large fee paid, Wednesday will struggle to recoup some of the lost money.
Hendrie’s claim on Ugbo’s Owls future is confusing
While many in S6 will be relieved to see the striker leave during the transfer window, Lee Hendrie, speaking exclusively to FLW, has encouraged the Owls to keep him and give him another chance.
He informed FLW that Sheffield Wednesday may try to cut their losses with Ike Ugbo. He’s been a bit of a disappointment in terms of signings, but I believe he represents Sheffield Wednesday’s current direction.
“I believe he might have a good season next season. I believe he has the ability. It simply hasn’t worked for him at the moment.”
Hendrie went on to say, “Sometimes it’s about the personnel on the team and bringing better players in and around him. You also wonder if they will strengthen again after this season.
“I think that they need to keep players rather than get rid of players, and I think that he could be one that I would certainly keep hold of rather than cut their losses.”
Although he may be able to become a star in a new system with different players surrounding him, it is doubtful at this time, and moving him on could enable for another striker to come in who is a greater threat.
£2.5 million is a lot of money for a footballer who has failed to meet any expectations, and Sheffield Wednesday must cut their losses and try to salvage any fee for the 26-year-old.
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