Pierce Charles’ rise to prominence continued over the weekend as he made his Championship debut for Sheffield Wednesday, solidifying his potential as a key figure for the club. Chosen ahead of fellow goalkeeper James Beadle, the 19-year-old Northern Ireland international has quickly caught the eye with his impressive performances. Adding to his credentials, Charles recently earned his fifth and sixth senior international caps during the international break, further proving his talent on the senior stage. His development has been accelerated under the leadership of Danny Röhl, who has nurtured several young players since taking over as the Owls’ manager. Although Röhl has not confirmed who will start between the posts for the upcoming match against Hull City, it is widely expected that Charles will continue in goal.
Charles’ breakthrough is just one of several young players who have advanced in senior football under Röhl’s guidance. The German coach has previously discussed the club’s strategy in relation to young talents like Djeidi Gassama. While the decision to sell promising players for large sums of money and reinvest in the squad has been considered, Röhl emphasized that the final decision will rest with club owner Dejphon Chansiri. The Star understands that Charles continues to attract Premier League interest, with scouts present at Northern Ireland’s matches against Switzerland and Sweden last month. It’s believed that some clubs were already weighing up potential bids for the young goalkeeper in January, and the interest in him remains strong. Reports suggest that at least one of these clubs is in the running for a Champions League spot next season, but whether Sheffield Wednesday will consider selling players like Charles or Gassama remains uncertain.
Röhl has praised the development of Charles, highlighting the important role of goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo in his progress. Röhl acknowledged the collective effort within the team, which includes Ben Hamer’s contribution to the goalkeeping group. Reflecting on last season’s bold decisions, such as bringing an 18- or 19-year-old into a relegation battle, Röhl stressed the importance of giving young players opportunities. He reiterated that it’s not enough for these players to shine in a single game; they must demonstrate consistency at the highest level. For Charles, this presents his next challenge: maintaining top form week in and week out.
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