New deal can help Forestieri lift Owls again
JUST under three months ago, Fernando Forestieri provided Sheffield Wednesday’s season with a timely spark against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Fast forward to the present day and the gifted Argentine has been afforded another welcome catalyst ahead of Saturday’s return fixture at Hillsborough after penning a contract extension.
The former Watford forward has finally ended speculation over his future by committing to the club until 2020, extending his previous contract by a year.
It represents a fillip ahead of the derby with Town and an early present ahead of his 27th birthday on Sunday.
Forestieri got his season rolling after a bitter-sweet opening few months with a match-winning contribution in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield on October 16.
Immediately prior to that, head coach Carlos Carvalhal had challenged Forestieri to kick-start his season and was firmly answered in the affirmative with the forward netting the only goal.
Crowned Owls’ player-of-theyear in 2015-16, Forestieri has only sporadically showcased his prodigious footballing talent in a patchy 2016-17.
The hope is that a settled Forestieri can rediscover his mojo on a regular basis to spearhead a promotion drive in the club’s 150th anniversary year.
A low arrived in mid-August when Forestieri refused to travel to the Championship game at Norwich City, claiming his “mind was not in the right place” after being linked with beat-the-deadline moves to Derby County and Newcastle United.
The dust settled and Forestieri subsequently apologised and reaffirmed his commitment to the Owls. But his form proved patchy, with a sending-off against Preston on December 3 compounding matters.
It is perhaps only now that a line has been drawn under proceedings.
Sam Hutchinson has also signed a contract extension to the summer of 2020.
Hutchinson joined Wednesday from Chelsea, initially on loan, in February 2014, making the move a permanent one later that summer.
The 27-year-old – who can play either central defence or midfield – has made 83 appearances for the Owls, scoring four goals.