Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals James Beadle factor that will decide Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton deal…
Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper James Beadle has established himself as one of the most promising young shot-stoppers in English football during his one-and-a-half seasons on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.
The 20-year-old signed on loan for Wednesday in January 2024, having spent the first half of last season on loan with then League One side Oxford United.
After a highly impressive 19 Championship appearances in the second half of last term, and having played a vital role in helping the club avoid relegation to the third tier, the Owls wasted little time in securing his signature once again last summer.
The England youth international is a popular figure at Hillsborough, but with just a handful of games remaining before he’s set to return to his parent club once again, questions are being asked as to whether Wednesday will look to make him a permanent part of the furniture in the summer window.
“When you break down the numbers” – Don Goodman makes James Beadle, Sheffield Wednesday transfer claim
Don Goodman
Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player, Don Goodman: ‘Do you think Sheffield Wednesday should consider a permanent move for Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle this summer? Or should they look at alternative options?’
Goodman said: “I think it’s all relative when it comes to transfers, isn’t it?
“So, Sheffield Wednesday making a move for James Beadle would largely, from their perspective I’m sure, depend on how much it would cost to get a deal done.
“There’s no doubt about it, he’s a talented young goalkeeper, but he’s still only 20-years-old. What these loan spells away from Brighton are doing is giving him valuable experience, and allowing him to really learn on the job.
James Beadle’s 23/24 Championship stats for Sheff Wed – per FotMob
Appearances
Goals conceded
Clean sheets
Save %
Error led to goal
Avg. match rating
19
24
8
68.8%
1
6.78/10.
“He hasn’t really been behind a solid defence, so he’s been exposed probably more often than he should. When you break down the numbers, he’s conceded 59 goals in 38 starts and kept nine clean sheets (correct ahead of Cardiff City game – per FotMob).
“Which isn’t bad, but when you break it down on an individual basis, a save percentage of 58.5 per cent is one of the lowest, and a goals prevented of -3.94 (correct ahead of Cardiff City game – per FotMob).
“So, whilst he does make brilliant saves, he’s still got the odd error in him. Everybody, including me, would forgive him for that. He’s a young man learning his trade, and I’m pretty sure he’s going on to have a pretty decent career.”
If permanent transfer is on the table, Sheffield Wednesday will surely be tempted to bank on Beadle’s potential
James Beadle of Sheffield Wednesday
Still very much in the infancy of his career, Beadle has already shown the kind of potential that could take him right to the top of the game.
For a goalkeeper who has not long outgrown his teenage years, to have made almost a century of EFL appearances at this stage of his development is pretty remarkable.
Therefore, despite the fact he may not be performing quite to those same standards he set as a Wednesday player last season so far this term, the young shot-stopper remains far from the finished article.
That should be seen as a positive thing for the Owls too, and it’s that potential that they should seriously consider investing in should the parameters for a permanent deal work for both clubs this summer.
It’s the sort of gamble that could well land the club a huge payday in the future.
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