Is Adlene Guedioura the answer to Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion bid?

With less than one week remaining in the loan window, media reports claim that Sheffield Wednesday are in pursuit of Watford midfielder Adlene Guedioura.

The loan window closes on Thursday, March 24. Up until this point, Guedioura can sign for Sheffield Wednesday on loan for a period of 28 and 93 days. Midfielder Guedioura may be acquired to bolster the Owls midfield and add more depth to the ever developing Wednesday squad.

Often used as a substitute, the Algeria international has made 10 league appearances for Watford this campaign. In fact, Guedioura has only made 27 appearances in over two years at the club, scoring on three occasions. Maybe this is time for the Watford number 17 to rekindle his career, move on and fight for a first team place with the Owls.

Adlene Guedioura puts in a tackle against Aston Villa. Photo: Paul Roberts/Offside.

Guedioura will certainly not fall straight into the Wednesday starting XI though. Kieran Lee and Barry Bannan have cemented their place in central midfield over the course of this season. Take Lewis McGugan who, despite being one of the most skilful players in the squad, has hardly featured in the league since his arrival during the summer of 2015.

Manager Carlos Carvalhal could use Guedioura in a defensive midfield role in the absence of Sam Hutchinson, who has a poor disciplinary record and is injury prone. An approach for Adlene may even suggest he prefers Hutchinson in a centre-back role alongside Tom Lees, whereby Guedioura may slot in just nicely in front of the back two, although not his preferred position.

McGugan, Fernando Forestieri and Daniel Pudil have already made the move from Vicarage Road to Hillsborough over the last eight months with Adlene Guedioura potentially following in their footsteps. A screamer of a goal from the midfielder in the FA Cup last Sunday at the Emirates saw Watford surpass Arsenal into the next round. An exquisite performance, plus his wonder goal, may have come at the wrong time for the Owls as they continue to enquire about his availability.

I firmly believe the addition of Guedioura will only maintain our current progress as Wednesday continue to push for a top six finish. Acquiring the midfielder on a three-month loan deal would certainly add further strength and depth to the current squad; I don’t expect Adlene to pull up any trees with only nine league games remaining. Having said that, he would be eligible for the play-off semi-final/final should we get there.

On the other hand, Chairman Dejphon Chanisiri and Carvalhal may use the loan window to trial the Algerian before making a cash bid in the summer if suited to Wednesdays squad and style of play. Who knows?

WAWAW