Sheffield Wednesday are aiming for a stronger performance in the upcoming Championship season. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season thanks to a remarkable turnaround under manager Danny Rohl, who has since signed a new long-term contract, there is renewed optimism at Hillsborough. While a promotion push might be ambitious, the positive atmosphere at the club is reminiscent of their consecutive play-off appearances under Carlos Carvalhal between 2015 and 2017.

During those successful years, Fernando Forestieri was a standout player, scoring 40 goals and providing 17 assists in 134 appearances after joining from Watford in 2015. His contributions on the pitch were significant, though his time at the club was not without controversy. The most notable incident occurred in August 2016, when Forestieri refused to play in a match against Norwich City amid transfer interest from other clubs. Although he later apologized and mended his relationship with the fans, club owner Dejphon Chansiri might regret not selling him at that time.

Sheffield Wednesday had received interest from Derby County and Newcastle United for Forestieri, with Derby reportedly making a £7 million bid. Newcastle, recently relegated from the Premier League, were also interested. Despite the transfer interest and the player’s temporary refusal to play, Wednesday were determined to keep their star man to bolster their promotion hopes. Forestieri eventually apologized, claiming there had been misunderstandings and reaffirming his commitment to the club.

Despite a mixed reaction from fans initially, Forestieri was welcomed back and continued to perform, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in the 2016-17 season. However, injuries plagued his remaining years at Hillsborough, preventing him from recapturing his earlier form. Highlights of his later career included a stunning long-range goal against Norwich in April 2019, but overall, his impact diminished, and he was released at the end of his contract in 2020.

Reflecting on the saga, Chansiri might regret not cashing in on Forestieri in 2016. Selling him could have provided crucial funds to balance the club’s finances and potentially avoid the points deduction that contributed to their relegation to League One in 2021. While Forestieri’s memorable performances, particularly in the 2015-16 season, secured his place in the hearts of Wednesday fans, his later years were less impactful, and the club missed out on a significant transfer fee.