Joey Pelupessy could be on his way out of Sheffield Wednesday as his contract is up this summer. The 26-year-old signed on a two-year deal in 2018 and is months away from it expiring.
As per Dom Howson of Yorkshire Live, Garry Monk hasn’t been in a rush to extend his stay despite, fellow midfielders Kieran Lee and Sam Hutchinson also being at the end of their respective contracts. So, why is that?
Pelupessy has been short of form and playing time this season, making just 17 appearances in all competitions and frequently coming in for criticism from supporters for poor performances.
He’s found himself behind Barry Bannan, Lee and Hutchinson in the pecking order, so it’s hard to see why Wednesday would want to retain him. Between August and December, Pelupessy racked up only 252 minutes of Championship football and spent the majority of his time as an unused substitute.
The Dutch midfielder featured more regularly in 2020 after Hutchinson was exiled from the first-team but was often criticised on social media for making little impact in games.
As per WhoScored, Pelupessy created only three chances, won 12 aerial duels (46%), made two successful dribbles (100%), completed 75.3% of his 223 passes, had three shots, blocked seven crosses/passes/shots, made eight clearances, gave away 19 fouls and averaged a tackle (17) or interception (15) every 22 minutes.
Before the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pelupessy was an unused substitute 18 times and left out of the matchday squad six times. Despite Lee and Hutchinson having uncertain futures, the 26-year-old looks unlikely to be spared. Since October, he’s been on the winning team only twice in the league and could be easily replaced this summer.
