Why Sheffield Wednesday should have pushed harder to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers
Sheffield Wednesday have gotten off to a shaky start in the season so far and they must make a few loan signings before the European window. According to The Mirror, Wednesday were among a host of Championship clubs interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers. However, as per a report by BBC, Swansea City are closing in on signing him temporarily.
The Owls can finally make new signings after going through a four-month transfer embargo which was lifted by the English Football League last Friday. Hence, Wednesday must now use the loan system to strengthen their squad. Jos Luhukay has slightly over a week to make additions to his side.
To that end, signing Carter-Vickers could have been a great move. The 20-year-old US international is seemingly headed towards the exit doors at Tottenham since staying back would not yield adequate game time. With that in mind, it would make sense for him to go out on loan for the 2018/19 campaign.
The defender, who mainly plays as a centre-back, has made 34 Championship appearances, scoring a single goal. Last summer, newly-promoted Sheffield United had signed Carter-Vickers on a season-long loan deal. He made 18 appearances, including 17 in the second-tier before he was recalled by Spurs in January. He then headed out for another loan to Ipswich Town, making 14 appearances.
Having impressed during his short stints with the Blades and Ipswich, Carter-Vickers could have worked wonders for the Owls. The vocal and tough-tackling Tottenham graduate is capable and promising. He could have strengthened Sheffield Wednesday’s defence to help them climb away from relegation danger and fight for an ambitious finish.
The versatile defender is a keen reader of the game and has already shown great organizational and leadership skills. In Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, Carter-Vickers has a pair of excellent mentors at Spurs. However, the two World Cup-experienced defenders will be hard to dislodge.
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To improve further, Carter-Vickers must play often but to do so, he should move elsewhere. Swansea are in the upper echelons of the table and he will certainly flourish there. But considering the scenario at Wednesday, Luhukay should have worked harder to secure his signature.
