‘Barry Bannan absent from training as further Sheffield Wednesday exits loom’
Sheffield Wednesday have been left fearing further player exits as Dejphon Chansiri’s financial mismanagement at Hillsborough persists.
Amid Chansiri’s failure to pay wages on time, former star player Josh Windass has joined Championship new boys Wrexham.
Alongside Windass’ exit, the Owls have also witnessed striker Michael Smith move to second-tier rivals Preston on a free transfer, and Djeidi Gassama left in favour of Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers.
Meanwhile, further salt was rubbed into Sheffield Wednesday’s wounds when Gassama scored on his Rangers debut in a Champions League qualifier on Tuesday, 22 July.
Bannan absent as 21 players attend Sheffield Wednesday training
The mass exodus at Hillsborough is not only affecting senior players, as academy starlet Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri joined Manchester City.
Meanwhile, the Sheffield Star revealed on Tuesday, 24 July, that 21 Wednesday players have attended training this week.
However, Owls club captain Barry Bannan was absent from the training photos released by Sheffield Wednesday, although the reason is not known at this point.
Bannan exit would epitomise Chansiri woes
Football Insider verdict
The reason for Bannan’s absence from Sheffield Wednesday training is yet to be disclosed, but it could be that the former Scotland international is set for an exit.
| Barry Bannan stats | Championship 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
Thanks to Chansiri’s ongoing failings, the South Yorkshire outfit are highly likely to witness further departures ahead of the new Championship season, including that of boss Danny Rohl.
The depth of the financial issues the Owls are encountering has been summed up by the fact that Hillsborough’s North Stand could be closed next season amid safety concerns.
Meanwhile, Bannan’s potential exit would be a particularly tough pill for the Wednesday faithful to swallow, as he is a modern-day club legend.
Since joining the Owls from Crystal Palace in 2015, the 35-year-old has helped the South Yorkshire side reach the Championship playoffs twice, as well as sealing promotion from League One in 2023.
Bannan subsequently played a key role when Sheffield Wednesday secured second-tier survival in trying circumstances in 2024.