Danny Röhl made a Sheffield Wednesday gamble v Cardiff - it shows the Owls are thinking long-term | OneFootball

Danny Röhl's decision to drop James Beadle for Pierce Charles against Cardiff wasn't just bold – it was strategically sound.

"We've got two number ones now," declared Danny Röhl after Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Cardiff City on Saturday.

The statement came after his surprising decision to drop Brighton loanee James Beadle in favour of Pierce Charles - a move that raised eyebrows but makes perfect sense with Wednesday's Championship points target now achieved.

Beadle has been exceptional since joining Wednesday, with his reliable shot-stopping and distribution playing a crucial role in the Owls' survival campaign in the 23/24 season, and the push towards the upper reaches of the table in 24/25.

Few expected him to lose his place given his impressive form, but with safety secured, Röhl can now begin to look beyond immediate results.

Danny Röhl's goalkeeping gambit: securing Pierce Charles' future amid Premier League interest

Pierce Charles, a highly-rated Northern Ireland international, represents the future at Hillsborough. He recently claimed the national team's number one shirt, edging out former Owls loanee Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the process.

The 19-year-old joined from Manchester City's academy in 2020, becoming part of a Wednesday youth setup that has developed a reputation for producing goalkeeping talent.

Academy graduates Cameron Dawson and Joe Wildsmith both preceded Charles in making the journey from Wednesday's youth ranks to the first team, before departing for Rotherham United and Derby County respectively.

The pair are, however, only among a rare set of players to have passed through the Owls' academy into the first team. The set-up at Hillsborough has long come under scrutiny for failing to develop first-team talents.

With Beadle set to return to Brighton at the season's end, Wednesday must focus on nurturing their own talent.

Providing Charles with valuable Championship experience now serves two critical purposes - accelerating his development and demonstrating the club's commitment to him amid reported interest from Premier League clubs.

Röhl explained his thinking to BBC Radio Sheffield: "We have two young, good goalkeepers. James Beadle deserves a lot of credit since he arrived last year in the relegation fight.

"On the other side, Pierce has worked very hard. He's now the number one for his national team and has improved a lot- he deserved it as well."

With the Championship target achieved, Röhl is now building Sheffield Wednesday's foundation for 2025/26

Röhl’s decision to drop Beadle for Charles was not merely rotation but a strategic move to build for next season.

For a club that has relied heavily on loan players in the 24/25 season, keeping homegrown talent like Charles is essential for sustainable success.

By giving him meaningful minutes now, Röhl provides the youngster with a clear path to first-team football - perhaps the strongest incentive for him to commit his future to Hillsborough despite attention from bigger clubs.

Charles handled the pressure well against Cardiff as the hosts dominated the first half.

The 19-year-old himself felt his opportunity was well-deserved:

"It was a long time coming for me personally," Charles reflected after the draw. "I've worked hard, kept patient and my time came... It's just step by step, I can't get ahead of myself - it's only one game at the end of the day, and hopefully in the future I can make it consistent."

He'll now be eager to make his Championship debut at Hillsborough when the Owls host Hull City next - another opportunity to cement his place as a genuine contender for the number one shirt.

By backing Charles now that Championship safety is all but secured, Röhl demonstrates he's thinking beyond immediate results.

What appeared a gamble could be a calculated decision to develop talent and plan for next season. If this show of faith helps convince Charles to stay amid transfer speculation, it could prove one of Röhl's most important moves of the season.