Sheffield Wednesday Face Fresh Competition For In-Demand Defender

Sheffield Wednesday face fresh competition to keep Reece James at Hillsborough on a permanent deal with a number of second tier clubs circling for the Tangerines defender, according to a report on Yorkshire Live. 

James became a firm fan favourite during a loan spell with the Owls this season just gone, making 25 appearances during the regular season for Darren Moore’s men in a whole host of positions – Moore utilising James as a full-back, centre-back and even a make-shift midfielder.

The Blackpool man however really came into his own during the League One playoffs, picked by his manager to start the playoff semi-final second leg versus Peterborough United after the Owls had been taken apart in Cambridgeshire.

James stood out in Sheffield Wednesday’s immense second leg comeback, even scoring on the night to make it 3-0 to Wednesday before Liam Palmer bundled the ball into the net to take the tie to extra-time at 4-0 before penalty kicks won Moore’s men the action-packed contest.

The 29 year-old would also start the Playoff Final itself, playing deep into extra time on the day for the Owls as Josh Windass’ last-gasp header won the Final to clinch promotion to the Championship.

Still contracted by Blackpool, there’s no doubting the fact that James would prefer a return to Hillsborough in the second tier over staying with the Tangerines in League One.

Yet, Wednesday won’t be the only interested party according to Yorkshire Live.

Who Is Reece James?

Starting his career at Manchester United – after breaking through the youth set-up at the Red Devils – James’ game-time in a Manchester United shirt was often reduced to appearances in friendly matches as well as featuring for the reserve side.

He would be loaned out to various nearby EFL clubs, even scoring a solitary goal for Huddersfield Town on loan during the 2014-15 season.

He would later join Wigan Athletic and Sunderland on permanent deals, before making a name for himself as a goal-scoring wing-back option in South Yorkshire at Doncaster Rovers.

The 2020-21 season in a Donny shirt saw James net seven goals for his side, as Rovers finished in a disappointing 14th spot in League One after being in the playoff hunt a few seasons prior.

This goal-scoring form for Doncaster caught the attention of Blackpool, with the seaside-based club then loaning out James to Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Sheffield Wednesday In The Driving Seat

Despite a number of Championship clubs all reportedly showing a keen interest in signing the Blackpool defender, Sheffield Wednesday will remain in pole position to land their former loanee and make the deal permanent.

At Sheffield Wednesday’s recent promotion parade, Reece James spoke to the Sheffield Star about his intention to stick around at Hillsborough past the loan deal – stating that he ‘fell in love with the club, the city, everything about it – but I’ll have to see what happens, what plays out over the summer.’

After the disappointing spell James had with Blackpool before making the loan move to the Owls, it’s no surprise that the 29-year-old defender wants to stay put at Wednesday.

Yet, if another Championship suitor comes calling offering more money for the in-demand defender, the Tangerines might well accept that offer over allowing James to return back to Darren Moore’s team.

Writer’s View 

Reece James, when I went to watch a handful of Wednesday matches last season, always offered the Owls a marauding wing-back option and offered bags of energy when on the pitch. 

After scoring in the dramatic comeback win in the playoff semi-finals versus Peterborough United, and battling hard in the playoff final on top of that, it’s no surprise that Wednesday fans are clamouring for James to stick around permanently in an Owls shirt. 

James also wants a permanent stay in Sheffield with Darren Moore’s men according to comments he’s made, so it’ll be intriguing whether or not Blackpool will allow for James to return back to Wednesday. 

The worry would be that the ex Doncaster man has never really performed at Championship level at any time during his career. But, off the back of impressing with Wednesday last season in the third tier, the Blackpool man will hope he can buck that trend and play an important role in the Sheffield Wednesday squad in the second tier if he’s afforded the move back.