29-Year-Old Midfielder Reveal Talks With Danny Rohl To Join Sheffield Wednesday

Nathaniel Chalobah is closing in on the end of his second week at Sheffield Wednesday.

The midfielder arrived on a free transfer at Hillsborough earlier this month and was soon on a plane flying to Germany for their pre-season training camp.

Chalobah made his debut in the second half of the 4-0 defeat to RB Salzburg, however wasn’t given much of an opportunity to showcase his talent against a Champions League team.

The 29-year-old will be eager to earn his place in the starting line-up ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s meeting with Plymouth Argyle, having seen his game-time limited before he was released by West Brom.

Chalobah will have likely had a number of options for his next destination after leaving The Hawthorns, but eventually chose to link up with Danny Rohl.

The Chelsea academy product has now explained the ‘conversations’ he had with the manager that eventually persuaded him to move to Yorkshire.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Chalobah said: “”Yeah I saw what the level of his work was like last year. When we came down, Sheffield Wednesday were in a very tough spot. I think I saw the way they were playing and after having conversations with him [Rohl], I think his philosophy was quite clear and the vision he has for the club is quite apparent, so I think it was an easy decision really in that sense.

“Having come here and seen the level of his work and the level the team are training and the way he wants us to play and the sort of things he is doing is something that me as a player can learn from and improve.”

Should Sheffield Wednesday be worried about Chalobah?

There has been plenty of concern around Chalobah’s arrival, with the midfielder only managing seven league starts last term.

He has struggled to live up to expectations since joining Watford for £7 million in 2017, but that isn’t to say he can’t find his feet under Rohl.

The German has worked wonders with players who looked completely out of their depth at Hillsborough, and that could well be one reason why Chalobah has joined the club.

Rohl was clearly very eager for Chalobah to join, and while he is still likely to sign another midfielder, he will expect the 29-year-old to compete for a regular place in the team.

It is about having strength in depth this summer, and if Chalobah has plenty of healthy competition then that will only improve his performances.

It feels like it could be his final chance in the Championship and working under Rohl is the best time for it.