Sheffield Wednesday have welcomed a number of new signings who are set to make their first step into English football.
Sheffield Wednesday’s new signings Jamal Lowe and Ben Hamer have made a name for themselves in the Championship, racking up 344 appearances between them.
While others such as Charlie McNeill and James Beadle are hoping for long successful careers in their home country, others haven’t spent a minute in England since pulling on their first pair of boots.
Olaf Kobacki arrives after netting 15 goals in 34 appearances in the Polish second division, while Svante Ingelsson has plied his trade in Sweden, Italy and Germany.
The pair will have a lot of adjusting to do after arriving in Yorkshire, with the Championship known for its high intensity and aggressiveness.
The pair won’t be expected to hit the ground running though, with journalist Joe Crann urging them to look to Pol Valentin for inspiration.
Valentin earns praise for Sheffield Wednesday transformation
Speaking on the Owls Heaven podcast, Crann said: “There is some unknowns in there – we don’t know how Olaf Kobacki is going to do, we don’t know how Svante Ingelsson is going to do. These are players in their first season of English football.
“We saw what happened last season with Pol Valentin – came in and the first few games and people were not sure, but by the time we got to the end of the season, he’s one of the most popular players in the team.
“You look at Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba. They weren’t always consistent but their return was good – especially Musaba. You look at the numbers Musaba was racking up his debut season in England. They’re good numbers.”
Danny Rohl knows how to get the best out of the Owls
Valentin managed only five starts in the first 20 games since arriving at Hillsborough last summer.
The Spaniard was slammed as ‘calamitous’ after a tough start to life in the Championship, but quickly turned things around and became a fan favourite.
Valentin’s transformation should give hope to any player that has struggled so far, and also makes it very clear the huge impact Danny Rohl can have on a player’s form.
The German saw something in Valentin and helped him become a vital cog in Wednesday’s survival.
Kobacki and Ingelsson will work under Rohl from pre-season onwards and so he could act as a huge boost in their bid to settle into life in England, but a tough start isn’t to say they won’t blossom later on.
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Source link: Sheffield Wednesday signings told they can become 'the most popular' like Pol Valentin