Sheffield Wednesday fired warning over "crazy" Di’Shon Bernard decision | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday will be doing all they can to keep some of their top performers this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It’s looking like a season of transition for Sheffield Wednesday.

Manager Danny Rohl has dropped hints that he won’t be in the dugout next season, and that’s before considering any outgoing and incoming transfers.

One of the club’s key performers, and a player who could attract interest despite his season ending early with a knee injury, is defender Di’Shon Bernard.

We asked our Sheffield Wednesday Fan Pundit, Patrick, whether he believes Bernard is a player the Owls need to keep hold of.

Keeping Di’Shon Bernard is crucial for Wednesday

Speaking to Football League World, Patrick said: “So, in regards to Di’Shon Bernard, he is definitely a player I would want to be keeping this summer.

“He is our best centre-back, and when he was injured last season, we did miss him. So, with our centre-back situation, I want to keep hold of him and build the defence around him.

“As well as his ability, he is at a good age as well, so he has a sell-on value as well, and it may well be the case that if we sell him on any a few years, he is a player we could make some money on.

“So, yeah, essentially it would be a bit crazy if he did go on the summer, and that would make our centre-back situation even worse.

“So, yeah, definitely, he's one of the key players at the club, and I don't want to see him go in the summer.”

The Owls are in a great position with Bernard

Less than 12 months ago, Bernard put pen to paper on a new three-year deal at Hillsborough Stadium, keeping him with the Owls until at least 2027.

That puts Wednesday in a very comfortable position heading into the summer, as they hold all the cards in any negotiations or approaches from other clubs.

As Patrick says, Bernard is a key part of the defensive unit at Wednesday and, with a turbulent summer ahead that is likely to involve a manager hunt, keeping the on-pitch situation as consistent as possible will ensure the least possible disruption.

There is also, of course, the controversial ownership of Dejphon Chansiri to contend with.

Under his stewardship, the club have managed to appoint a coach like Rohl and have not been immune to good signings, Bernard himself being one of them, but with trust low at the club, many will be wary about how any fee for Bernard would be spent.

There may be silver lining to Bernard’s injury

Most Wednesday fans, like Patrick, will likely be hoping for a quiet window as far as Bernard is concerned, and they may be in luck.

Had he had the full season, he would no doubt have shown his quality, but was hampered by a knee injury suffered against West Brom in February which prematurely ended his season.

At that point, Rohl said the 24-year-old was set to be out for around six months, which would see him return around the start of next season, on that timeline.

First and foremost, the injury took Bernard out of the spotlight, but with him unlikely to be able to throw everything into pre-season, and likely needing a gentle introduction back when he’s ready, the circumstances are not ideal for a club wanting to recruit him.

That could dampen any interest that may have existed in him, which should prevent the defender having his head turned by other clubs.

Wednesday fans would certainly not have chosen to have him out for any length of time, but there may be a positive to take in terms of keeping him at the club this summer.