Atdhe Nuhiu really is the marmite of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. It’s fair to say that he divides the fan base. You either love him or loathe him.
Sheffield Wednesday should offer Atdhe Nuhiu a new contract
Now into his seventh season at the South Yorkshire side, Atdhe Nuhiu netted his 49th and 50th goals for the Owls in the 5-3 loss to Fulham at the weekend.
Despite being at the club for such a lengthy period, the 6 foot 6 striker has only managed to secure double figures in a season on one occasion. It may also be worth noting that his 50 goals for Sheffield Wednesday have come within a total of 274 games.
Nhuhiu should be offered a fresh contract at the club, even if the stats seem to say otherwise.
The club’s current financial situation
Sheffield Wednesday aren’t in a position to be spending lots of money. The club even sold the ground to themselves in order to stay within the regulations of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules. Can Wednesday even afford to replace Nuhiu?
Atdhe’s role
Atdhe Nuhiu has scored 7 goals in all competitions for the Owls this season. Bar his 49th and 89th minute goals at Fulham, Nuhiu’s remaining goals have been scored after 90 minutes. It is quite clear that he excels at coming off the bench and causing trouble for tired central defenders. What other player could Wednesday sign to play this role?
Wednesday’s fate lies in the hands of the EFL
Wednesday don’t yet know what league they’re going to be in. If the Owls are to be handed a significant points deduction, relegation is likely. In this scenario, it would be a no brainer to offer Nuhiu another deal. If Wednesday are successful in their court case, then they have a handful of a player who can come on in the dying embers of a game and steal some points.
The Owls have to be sensible with how they spend their money from now on. If Nuhiu isn’t offered a new contract, Jordan Rhodes would be the only striker left at the club for next season.
It is understandable why some fans don’t want to offer Atdhe Nuhiu a new contract. He isn’t a top-end championship starting player. But off the bench, there really is no one quite like him. Not that Sheffield Wednesday can afford, anyway.
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