‘Get him gone now then’ – Many Sheffield Wednesday fans react as player speaks out on future

A number of Sheffield Wednesday fans have been left aggravated by the latest comments made by defender Joost van Aken suggesting that he is wanting to have a fresh challenge away from the club somewhere abroad next season.

The 26-year-old is set to be out of contract at Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, and the defender has been in and out favour at times during his spell with the Owls after arriving in 2017 from Dutch side SC Heerenveen. The centre-back was loaned out last season to German side VfL Osnabrück for the whole last season where he made 22 league appearances (Sofascore).

The defender has come back into the fold this season at Sheffield Wednesday and had made 17 Championship appearances, 16 of which were starts. However, he has been suffering injury problems since being forced off in the 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day. The Owls at the moment are short on options especially at left-back, so he could get more chances when he returns.

However, any chances of the defender remaining at the club beyond the end of his current deal seem to have been put to bed by Van Aken’s comments to Dutch outlet Feanonline. The 26-year-old suggested he wants a move abroad when his deal expires in the summer.

He said: “As a person, I would still like to be able to live and play football in another European country for a few years. Italy, Switzerland, Spain… I think that would be nice.

“My contract will expire next summer and after that I hope to embark on a nice adventure somewhere for a number of years. After that it might be time for a return to the Netherlands.”

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans were keen to suggest that he was a poor signing by the club, with a couple even questioning whether he should not just go straight away.

Here we take a look at some of the best reactions on social media…

Off u pop son… never been a player 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Paul Bellwood (@bolsawud) February 5, 2021

£4m down the toilet

— Mark Hope 🇬🇧 (@owls_4life) February 5, 2021

Absolutely abysmal signing.

— S9 Owl (@stevenowls) February 5, 2021

Awful signing, we should have gone all out for sasso. There won't be many players I'd miss if all the out of contract went.

— OvO1975 (@Scotty23Kirk) February 5, 2021

Why wait till then get off now son

— Arreh (@VoodooNipper) February 5, 2021

If his hearts not fully in it get him gone now then

— Louis (@L0uisW00d) February 5, 2021

Awful signing..transfer fee and wages wasted

— RETRO WEDNESDAY (@WednesdayRetro) February 5, 2021