League One champions Lincoln City are reportedly interested in young Sheffield Wednesday defender Joe Emery.
The two teams will be swapping divisions next season, finishing the current campaign with the highest and lowest points tallies in the EFL.
And, according to Pete O’Rourke, the Imps are looking to make an early signing, in the form of Wednesday’s 19-year-old defender.
Why Are Lincoln Interested?
Like several of the Owls’ young players, Emery was given opportunities in the first team during the most recent campaign. While it was a torrid time in terms of results and their eventual relegation, it has allowed players to gain minutes that they never previously would have. After leaving Charlton Athletic’s academy, the 6ft 1 defender was one of six players to pen his first professional deal last July, a list that also included former Imp Denny Oliver.
He was thrust into the Owls’ side a month later, starting the six-goal thriller at Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup. That was a tie that Wednesday eventually won on penalties, enjoying the same success by shocking Premier League Leeds United later in August. Emery played 49 minutes on that occasion, before getting a full 90 under his belt against Grimsby Town in round three.
After the cup run ended, he was frequently named in the matchday squad in the first half of the campaign, before another appearance followed against Brentford in the FA Cup. A Championship debut came against Bristol City, enjoying further cameos against Norwich City and Southampton. That totalled 58 minutes of second-tier football during his breakout year with the Owls.
Where Would Emery Fit Into Lincoln’s Side?
On the face of it, signing a relatively untested defender ahead of the Imps first Championship campaign in 65 years seems like a bold move. Lincoln had the best defensive record in the third tier last term, conceding just 41 times in 46 matches. Michael Skubala’s side have been strong in that department in the past few years, adding Deji Elerewe to their ranks in the January transfer window.
City’s defence was settled for much of the campaign, with Tom Hamer and Sonny Bradley forming a formidable partnership at the heart of their backline. Ryley Towler has proved to be dependable when required, playing an increasing role at the end of the season after Adam Reach picked up an injury. Adam Jackson has found himself out of favour after also suffering from injuries this term.
With that in mind, if the Imps were to sign Emery, it seems like a move for the future. He certainly won’t be lining up as a first-choice centre-half next season, even for his current team. However, there is clearly potential for the young defender, and this may turn out to be a smart signing in years to come, if City can get this deal over the line.
