A classy performance from Pierce Charles allowed Sheffield Wednesday to pick up a point at home to Leicester City – and will no doubt have put a few digits on his price tag heading into an uncertain future.
The Owls were pegged back by Jordan Ayew late on but put in another spirited performance that for so long threatened to offer a first home win of the season after Jerry Yates’ second minute goal put them into the lead they held for 84 minutes.
The relegation-threatened Foxes had the better of the game, launching 24 shots at goal in a match that saw them take nearly 70 per cent possession. Alongside a dogged effort from his defenders, Charles made a total of 11 saves in the match across a range of skillsets and techniques. Some saves were of world class.
Henrik Pedersen told The Star post-match: “It was a top team performance today, but of course to get a point against Leicester you need a top goalkeeper. He was amazing today and he gives a trust and belief to the rest of the players. They have a fantastic goalkeeper behind them. They all worked so hard, all the players on the pitch, but Pierce was fantastic.
“Normally people speak about Pierce as a great offensive goalkeeper, but today he was strong for crossing, strong on reflexes on the line, strong in so many phases of the game. We have to be happy and proud. We love him.”
Northern Ireland number one Charles has been the subject of interest in the last few transfer windows and would likely have made a seven-figure move to Strasbourg in January were it not for a shoulder injury. The 20-year-old will clearly attract big interest once again and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2027, relegated Wednesday may well have a decision to make going forward on when the time is right to sell.
The crisis-stricken club has been rightly criticised in the past for a lack of player trading and in Charles they have a genuine asset. But the timing comes alongside a rebuild in which the Owls will seek to instil an identity of which they want their goalkeeper to play a part. A new contract would be an ambitious ideal scenario.
Like Danny Röhl before him, Pedersen has made clear throughout his time as manager that he believes Charles is a player that can go to the very top of the game. Wednesday are in the midst of a potential takeover by the David Storch-led consortium Arise Capital Partners and the Dane believes that should that takeover complete, huge attempts will be made to retain the talented stopper.
The Owls boss said: “In the big picture we want to be a club that can find and develop talent, let them be effective in the first team and make a sustainable financial model. For Pierce, we will all do all that we can to keep him in this phase here. He is a part of our identity and we would love to have him as a part of our future. I know David and everyone loves him – and that everyone will do everything to keep him. Let’s see what happens when the season is done.”
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