The October international break arguably came at the wrong time for Sheffield Wednesday, who had managed three Championship games without a defeat, with recent victories over promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City either side of a 0-0 draw with Bristol City.
However, one member of Danny Rohl’s squad has certainly made the most of his break from club duties, and that is young goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who kept a clean sheet during his senior international debut for Northern Ireland during a 0-0 draw with Belarus on Saturday.
Despite his credentials on the international stage, the 19-year-old has not featured in the Championship for the Owls so far this term due to the presence of fellow youngster James Beadle, who is on loan at Wednesday from Premier League Brighton.
Charles has, however, made three EFL Cup appearances this season, while he also played three times in the FA Cup last term, so could be in good stead to replace Beadle once the Brighton man returns to his parent club at the end of the campaign.
| Pierce Charles’s Sheffield Wednesday EFL Cup stats – 2024-25 season | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 3 |
| Clean sheets | 1 |
| Saves | 4 |
| Save percentage | 66.7% |
| Goals conceded | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 88.0% |
Pierce Charles tipped to be Sheffield Wednesday breakthrough star
When asked who Wednesday’s next breakout star could be, Football League World’s Owls fan pundit, Patrick McKenna backed Charles to be that very person, saying: “He has all the attributes of a modern keeper, which will see him go far in the game.
“He is absolutely superb with his feet, which is something that keepers need nowadays – I’ve seen him display this for Sheffield Wednesday and for Northern Ireland Under-19s.
“He also is a confident shot-stopper, there’s no real weaknesses to his game.
“Obviously, at his age, he’s still learning and improving, but I just think as well that Danny Rohl would rate him.
“He’s highly thought of within the club, he’s in matchday squads, so there’s certainly a chance for him to come through, especially with the fact that our number one, James Beadle, is on loan, and it’s probably doubtful that Beadle will be here next season again.
“He’s had a few games for us so far in the cups, and he’s handled himself well, and he’s also getting that bit of experience at the international level with Northern Ireland, and he’s handled himself very well there as well.
“Certainly, Pierce Charles is one to keep an eye on, and I think he will become our regular goalkeeper in the next few years or so.”
Pierce Charles could be Sheffield Wednesday’s first-choice goalkeeper next season
As summarised by Patrick, Charles is a talented young goalkeeper, who the Owls could be reliant upon in the not too distant future.
Current number one choice Beadle is set to return to his parent club at the end of the season, and could be set to provide stern competition for Brighton shot-stopper Bart Verbruggen in the years to come.
Beadle maintained eight clea nsheets in 19 Championship appearances last term, and has already kept two clean sheets in nine second tier outings this campaign, which demonstrates his quality.
But the Owls faithful should not be worried by the prospect of the Englishman’s departure, as Charles has recently proved his worth on the international stage, and appears ready for regular Championship football next term.
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