Sheffield Wednesday striker Fernando Forestieri celebrated his 29th birthday today and it seems the club’s official post wishing him well has prompted the club’s supporters to question his whereabouts.
The forward hasn’t been in Garry Monk’s match-day squad since the Owls’ victory over Charlton at The Valley back in November and has made just nine Championship appearances this season.
Is Forestieri's Sheffield Wednesday career over?
Yes
No
Hopefully a birthday appearance from him on Saturday ??
— WAWAW76 (@ndunne76) January 15, 2020
if he has 2 months off for Christmas then I reckon 2 – 3 weeks off for his birthday?
— Mark (@mark42swfc) January 15, 2020
Gotta be nearly out of annual leave by now?
— MGMarra (@MG_Marra) January 15, 2020
Last chance saloon nar, get back fit, get back playing and repaying the fans or do one
— darryl sayles (@Dazsayles11) January 15, 2020
Ya I sent him a card with a picture of Wednesday’s pitch on the front just in case he’s forgotten what it looks like uto
— David Kerr (@DavidKe57162575) January 15, 2020
I trust he enjoys it in Argentina…. paid for by SWFC. Great ?
— Matthew Gibb (@Mattygibb) January 15, 2020
What do we think?
Forestieri signed for the Owls back in August 2015 for £3.71m (via Transfermarkt.co.uk) and the club would have had high hopes for the former Italy Under 21 international.
However, it’s not quite turned out as the supporters would have hoped of late and with the player’s contract set to expire at the end of June, there is a real possibility this will be his last season at Hillsborough.
The striker has scored 39 goals and provided 17 assists in 125 appearances for the club – meaning Forestieri has on average made a direct goal contribution in every 2.2 games. He’s shown himself to be a competent Championship forward over the years but his career is in danger of fizzling out and as a result, Monk’s side may be resigned to allowing him to leave on a free transfer this summer.