The former Sheffield Wednesday man was “absolutely” surprised by the club’s decision to release him

This has been the case in recent summer transfer windows now, with the club seemingly playing catch-up after previous years of misspending in the Championship.

And that could be the case this summer, with Danny Rohl unlikely to have a lot of recruiting resources.

But speaking on X on Wednesday, former Owls man Saido Berahino held a Q&A where he was asked whether or not he was surprised the club decided to let him leave in 2022.

Saido Berahino reacts to Sheffield Wednesday exit

Berahino, 30, has joined Sheffield Wednesday for the 2021/22 season after former West Brom boss Darren Moore brought him to Hillsborough after a spell in Belgium.

And overall, Berahino proved to be a decent signing, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 36 total appearances for the Owls.

But the club decided to release the former West Brom and Stoke City man at the end of the campaign after missing out on promotion to the Championship.

Asked if he was surprised by the decision, Berahino answered: “Absolutely!!!!”

Berahino currently plays for Cypriot side AEL Limassol but is out of contract in the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday were too quick to offload Saido Berahino

Berahino himself said the physicality of League One caught him off guard, joking that he was forced back into the gym following his less physical spell in Belgium.

But this was one aspect of his game that could have been worked on, and his goalscoring record for Sheffield Wednesday spoke for itself.

While not spectacular, nine goals in a demanding League One on his return to England after a difficult few years was quite commendable.

And if he had been given time to build on that season and return to the demands of English football, then he could have played a big role for the Owls in the upcoming 2022/23 season.

So Berahino, had he been kept around, might even be playing for the club now, and under Rohl, the attacker might have flourished and rediscovered some of his former form.

But it didn’t pan out and now Berahino is at another crossroads with his contract out in the summer.

A return to England would certainly make for interesting viewing, with clubs ready to take a chance.

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