Sheffield Wednesday

Image source, Shutterstock

"He is class. He is going to be really, really good."

That was a comment by a member of staff, overheard from the training pitch shortly after 17-year-old Will Grainger played a defence-splitting pass for a goal during an 11-a-side session.

Shortly after, he was making a dynamic run into the box before leaping into the air to connect with a cross.

His effort was well saved but the height and air-time of the jump from a player listed at 5ft 8in was eye-catching.

Driving runs, killer passes and a threat in front of goal. Grainger put on a show that left you eager to see more.

Sheffield Wednesday were patient with him last season.

He appeared as a sub in the epic penalty shootout win over a strong Leeds United team in the Carabao Cup.

Grainger came on in the last minute against Brentford in the FA Cup four and a half months later. His first league start only came in the final game of the season.

In between all of this was a substitute appearance against Oxford United where he flashed his potential with a fantastic first senior goal.

He'll only turn 18 in November so the patient approach might be utilised for some time still.

However, his showing in the training camp here in Budapest suggests he might be able to accelerate his development.

"He's a top talent," said Owls manager Henrik Pedersen. "He's very mature in his tactical mindset and his discipline to be part of a senior team with a clear playing philosophy.

"With his movement, he's a really good pressing player. His mind and his understanding is on a high level. His finishing in the last 20 metres in front of the goal is strong.

"We take care of him and we push him. We are very conscious that we have a good young player we want to integrate and he has to be a top player for Sheffield Wednesday."

Pedersen isn't alone in highlighting Grainger's potential. Owls midfielder Barry Bannan, who has seen it all at Hillsborough during his time with the club, was also full of praise.

"He's an amazing talent for this club. Will, because he's a bit younger (than the other academy players in the squad), stands out a bit more," said Bannan.

"I've always been quite close with Will. He's going to be a top, top player if he keeps his feet on the ground and keeps working really hard every day.

"It's just amazing when you see people who support the club, from the city, breaking into the first team and getting to live their dream.

"It makes it that bit extra special so I think everybody in the team's rooting for him and obviously the fans would like to see one of their own coming through again."

Grainger was linked to Everton this summer before committing to a new contract at Wednesday until 2029.

It might end up being one of their best pieces of business.

Sheffield Wednesday are set to sign a third player from Aston Villa this summer, with 22-year-old English midfielder Tommi O'Reilly in advanced talks to join the League One side on a season-long loan. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Harry Gray has more on his plate than most 17-year-olds - and he seems to be taking it all in his stride.

The Gray name is football royalty in Leeds, thanks to his great uncle Eddie. His grandfather Frank also played for Leeds - and his father Andy began his career at Elland Road.

Harry's older brother Archie was a Whites prodigy who has since moved to Tottenham for big money. Now, big things are expected of the teenage forward.

He's beloved by Leeds fans. When he joined Rotherham United on loan in January, there were many wishes of success from West Yorkshire.

Some even questioned why he wasn't being used by Leeds at the time in the Premier League rather than being sent out on loan.

It was a challenging move. The Millers struggled, suffered a cluster of injuries, changed managers and were eventually relegated. Welcome to proper football, Harry.

Yet these are the kind of experiences Leeds want him to have on loan.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield at Wednesday's training camp in Budapest, Hungary, Gray admitted he had a 'welcome to League One' moment when he was elbowed by a Stockport defender seconds into his Rotherham debut.

"I enjoy it," he said. "It's so much better and more competitive, and something on the line every game. It's what I enjoy, a bit of pressure."

He's not a big talker but what he does say carries a maturity. You can tell he's been around the game, and people within the game, his whole life.

When asked about the big difference between academy football and the EFL, his answer focuses not on himself, but the people in the stands.

"You're playing for people that work every week to come and watch you play," he said.

"You've got to excite them and then ultimately that gives you some joy. But however many fans are watching, they're getting that (joy) as well."

There are other things about Gray that have clearly carried some thought. He says he follows Scotland rather than England. It's a contrast to his brother, he says, who is an England fan.

Gray insists he wants to focus on the here and now with Wednesday rather than future ambitions for Leeds when he returns to Elland Road next summer.

"Who knows what could happen... a year's a long time in football," Gray added. "All I care about now is getting promoted here."

Wednesday will have competition for places in attack next season. The club is keen to add a 'number nine' and a player for the wide right position.

Louie Barry has already joined from Aston Villa. The focus at the moment seems to be on forwards.

Yet successful teams often have a productive loan player in their ranks.

Gray is young - he doesn't turn 18 until October - but there is plenty of evidence on the training pitches here in Hungary, and the pedigree he has built within the Leeds United set-up, to believe he has a big future.

A year at Wednesday, getting among the goals, and possibly helping the Owls bounce back in their new era, could be the perfect launchpad for his career.

Image source, Getty Images

The roads of Budapest are full of potholes. As you drive along, the bumps feel like they're going to last forever.

It sort of resembles Sheffield Wednesday's 2025/26 season. Think you've got over the worst of it? Crash. Another thumping drop jolting your back. Surely that's the last one? Nope. This hole's even bigger. Now you've got a headache.

At the end of today's journey we reached a state-of-the-art training facility. This in itself is symbolic of the changing fortunes of the club. If the potholes were last season - delayed wage payments, administration, an overmatched squad suffering like no other previously, and drama to conclude a sale - the MLSZ Technical centre highlights the fresh start at Wednesday. This is the kind of place a serious club prepares for a new season.

This is where the Hungarian national team train. There's a hotel attached. Two senior teams or four youth teams can train here at a time. There are shirts hung in the corridors, signed by previous visitors, such as the likes of Jack Grealish.

This is such a far cry from 12 months ago.

The temperature is warm without being overbearing (about 25C). The manager, Henrik Pedersen, generously took time to explain to the gathered media the purpose of today's session. This one was about creating overloads and transitioning into attacking positions.

The Owls are going to face the notorious "low block" frequently next year, especially at Hillsborough. It has always been a problem when Wednesday drop into League One. Very few teams set out to attack. They want to frustrate. This session was seemingly designed to help find a way to combat this.

There was also talk of the need for speed and quickness - something that was lacking last season, as a young Wednesday squad was pulled apart and stretched to breaking point.

There was also a hint at the tactical approach Pedersen will adopt - a back four, attack-minded, working on the kind of technical skills that certain German managers have recently suggested as not being within the "English DNA".

It's such a far cry from a year ago, when Wednesday couldn't even use their own training ground at times to prepare for the toughest of seasons. They had no friendlies, they had no camp. What a relief it must be for those who are still with the club to be going through a totally different summer.

There are plenty of new faces - many of which will provide huge encouragement to fans. There are players with pedigree who have signed for, or re-joined, the Owls this summer. Yet there's no sense of anyone getting carried away. Internally there very much feels like a desire to avoid any big statement of intent or creation of expectation.

As with every facet of the club moving forward, there's no quick fix. But to go back to the potholes analogy, this is a club that feels like it's starting to lay the tarmac to create a smoother drive for the next few years.

Sheffield Wednesday are interested in signing free agent Billy Mitchell after boyhood club Millwall were unsuccessful in their attempts to keep the 25-year-old midfielder at the Den. (The Star), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Sheffield Wednesday have put their interest in Wrexham midfielder George Dobson, 28, on hold. They could rekindle a potential deal for the Englishman later in the transfer window. (The Star), external

You can find more of Friday's EFL gossip here.

English attacker Louie Barry is set to complete his move from Aston Villa to Sheffield Wednesday and the 23-year-old will sign a four-year deal at Hillsborough. (Sky Sports), external

Millwall, Portsmouth, Watford, Huddersfield Town, Oxford United, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday are all trying to sign former Peterborough United midfielder Archie Collins, 26, for free after his contract with the Posh expired this summer. (Yorkshire Post), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Sheffield Wednesday fans can expect big things from Harry Gray, according to former Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw, who took him to the Millers last season.

The 17-year-old scored three goals in 20 League One appearances for Rotherham and will be back in the division with their south Yorkshire rivals next season after agreeing a season-long loan from Leeds United.

"He's got huge potential - he just loves football. Not all professional footballers are like that, he stays on the training ground after and is always doing extra work," said Hamshaw, who was sacked by Rotherham in March.

"He's experienced League One now, he understands it and understands certain areas where he struggled at times strength-wise, but he's a real team player."

The England Under-17 international could make his competitive debut for Wednesday in their EFL Cup tie against Bolton on Saturday, 8 August.

"He's someone who will get you off your seat and is an unbelievable player - he's a top player and I've had a number of managers call me about him since I left the football club and I think it's a good fit for both sides," Hamshaw told BBC Radio Sheffield.

Sheffield Wednesday are targeting Bristol City goalkeeper Joe Lumley as a potential replacement for Manchester City-bound Pierce Charles. Lumley had a loan spell at Hillsborough last season. (The Wednesday Word), external

You can find more of Wednesday's EFL gossip here.

Barry Bannan is close to making a return to Sheffield Wednesday from Millwall. The midfielder is understood to have agreed a free transfer having left Hillsborough last season. (George Smith - The Star), external

You can find more of Tuesday's EFL gossip here.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have agreed a deal to re-sign goalkeeper Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday.

Charles played 21 times for Wednesday in a season disrupted by a shoulder injury, as financial issues led to the Hillsborough side being relegated to League One.

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international came through the academy at City before joining Wednesday, where he first signed professional terms in 2022.

Sources have told BBC Sport a deal is progressing but has not yet been completed.

It is not yet known whether Charles will join City's first team or be sent out on loan.

If he is integrated into the senior set-up, it may cast doubt on the future of England international James Trafford, who rejoined the club last summer but was second choice to Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Recent reports say free-spending Tottenham are interested in signing Trafford.

Image source, Getty Images

The TV schedule for the opening two months of the English Football League's 2026-27 season have been announced and with that, there are a few games getting a headline slot.

Here are the new dates to jot into your calendars across the EFL in August and September:

• Thursday, 20 August - Sheffield Wednesday v Bradford City (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 23 August - West Bromwich Albion v Burnley (12:00 BST)

• Friday, 28 August - Wrexham v Birmingham City (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 6 September - Birmingham City v Wolves (12:00 BST)

• Monday, 7 September - Bromley v AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST)

• Thursday, 10 September - Stevenage v Luton Town (20:00 BST)

• Friday, 11 September - West Ham United v Wrexham (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 13 September - Sheffield United v Wolves (12:00 BST)

• Thursday, 17 September - AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons (20:00 BST)

• Friday, 18 September - Bristol City v Watford (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 20 September - Wolves v West Bromwich Albion (12:00 BST)

The above matches are the single-game choices whose dates have been moved for TV coverage - there are also a number of Saturday lunchtime, evening and multi-game midweek matches also being televised. The full list is available here., external

The BBC Sport website will have live text commentaries of all the above fixtures and you can also tune in to games via your local BBC Radio station.

Sheffield Wednesday have won the race for 22-year-old defender Sil Swinkels after finalising a deal with Aston Villa for the Dutchman. (The Athletic), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Olaf Kobacki has left Sheffield Wednesday to join Wisla Plock in Poland's Ekstraklasa for an undisclosed fee.

Kobacki, 24, moved to the Owls two years ago from Arka Gdynia and made 30 appearances without scoring.

But the forward now returns to Poland to rebuild his career.