Sheffield Wednesday face a crunch few weeks ahead.

With a number of key players seeing their current Owls' deals expire at the end of the month, there could be some important players heading for the Hillsborough exit door in the coming weeks.

One of those players is central midfielder Massimo Luongo.

With just weeks left on the Australian's contract, Sheffield Wednesday are yet to agree fresh terms with the 29-year-old.

Making 30 appearances for the club throughout the 2021/22 season, with that number being hampered by injury, Luongo showed that he is capable of thriving at this level of football, and that he can be an important cog in a Wednesday side looking to gain promotion back to the Championship.

Now, speaking to FLW, Owls legend Carlton Palmer has said that securing a new deal for the 29-year-old midfielder should be the most important deal to get done among the players on expiring deals.

"The biggest one for me is Luongo," Palmer told FLW.

"He didn't play as many games as you would have liked - he played 27 [league] games last season and missed quite a few through injury.

 

 

"But, every time he played, Sheffield Wednesday were a different team.

"Whenever him and Windass were in the side, they were a different side.

"So, I would think on his performances, and what he's done for the club, he would be the most important."

The Verdict

Carlton Palmer is spot on here.

Keeping Massimo Luongo at the club beyond the end of this month should be a high priority for the club.

As Palmer points out, Luongo did miss games through injury this season, but when he did play, he showed just what a difference he can make to Darren Moore's side.

If Wednesday have promotion ambitions next season, losing Luongo could be a big blow to them, whereas keeping him at the club would offer their chances a huge boost if they can keep him fit for the full season.

With Wednesday likely to do most of their business on free transfers due to their League One status, replacing a player of Luongo's quality for nothing would be an incredibly difficult task if he does depart.