Sheffield Wednesday will seriously miss class operator when he leaves | OneFootball

The midfielder has been incredible for the Owls since joining the club in 2015.

Sheffield Wednesday capped off a very good week in the Championship on Sunday with a late win over Derby County at Pride Park Stadium.

Jamal Lowe's 94th minute goal was the difference maker in the East Midlands at the weekend, after the Owls came from behind to take all three points with them back to Hillsborough off the back of a 2-0 win against Hull City in mid-week.

The Rams had taken the lead very early on in the match, with Ebou Adams firing past James Beadle inside the first ten minutes, and it was one-way traffic for the majority of the game. However, Barry Bannan's tremendous strike from outside the box just after the hour mark was the turning point, and it was a goal that summarised the quality that the 35-year-old magician has.

Nevertheless, it must be said that the former Scotland international is starting to come to the end of not only his Sheffield Wednesday career, but his career in professional football altogether. When he does leave S6 for the final time, there is certainly going to be a huge hole left in not only the heart of the team on the pitch, but also off it.

Bannan will leave a huge void at Sheffield Wednesday

Few players have had the same level of impact on one club in the EFL as Bannan has had on the Owls, and he has become synonymous with them since joining in 2015.

The midfielder had enjoyed a decent couple of years at Aston Villa, his first club, after spending the start of his career on loan at both Blackpool, Derby and Leeds United, before joining Crystal Palace in the 2013/14 season.

However, his move to Selhurst Park did not quite live up to his expectations, and after a short spell on loan at Bolton Wanderers, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on a free.

Since then, he has made 423 appearances, scored 33 goals and registered 68 assists - helping his side back to the Championship in 2023 after relegation two seasons prior. It's been an incredible nine-and-a-half years for Bannan, and he has continued to be a huge presence in his team's midfield.

He does not often miss games, and his ability to remain fit throughout this period of time is a testament to his character and determination, while also meaning that the Owls are not used to being without their captain.

Finding a replacement will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, and it will take time for the void left by the 35-year-old to be filled when he does eventually leave the club.

Bannan has been superb this season as well

Despite coming to the end of his playing days, Bannan has not let his standards slip, and he has continued to perform in the Championship this season.

He has been playing in a deeper role for the Owls, and this allows him to collect the ball from his defenders and fire long passes up to Michael Smith, or carry it forward and look for gaps in his opponent's midfield.

He creates chances out of nothing, and is the most important cog in Danny Rohl's machine at Hillsborough right now and losing him will be costly. He signed a new deal in the summer, but it is not clear how long that contract lasts, and it is difficult to tell if another will be offered at the end of this campaign.

Nevertheless, Bannan's impact on Sheffield Wednesday cannot be understated, and when he does move on, he will be missed dearly by all of those linked with the club.