Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has stood out massively after returning from injury a month ago.
The 20-year-old has played just 20 games for club and country this season, having gone through two separate shoulder injuries. The first one kept him out of action for three and a half months, and the second one for nearly two months.
And yet, Charles has gone viral many times for different reasons. Despite playing for what will go down as probably the worst campaign ever recorded in English football history.
The streak mentioned above is now at 37 games – despite the 37th being the Owls snatching a point away from home against leaders Coventry City. And he was a big reason why the match ended in a goalless draw.
Recent reports, in fact, state that his performances may have attracted interest from Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to lose James Trafford next transfer window and would need to sign another goalkeeper.
And it’s easy to see why they could be after him.
What makes Pierce Charles so impressive?
Goalkeeping
Pierce Charles was back in the spotlight especially against Leicester City. The Foxes were in desperate need of a win to get out of the relegation zone and had the Owls in front of them. It looked like a guaranteed three points.
And perhaps it would have been – if it wasn’t for Charles. The Northern Ireland international equalled the most saves by a goalkeeper in a single Championship game this season – that he himself established in the reverse fixture vs. Leicester.
Charles ranks second in goals prevented per 90 minutes across all keepers to have played 1000+ the division this campaign (+0.20). Only Southampton’s Daniel Peretz (+0.30) stands ahead of him.
And that’s while also facing the most expected goals on target every 90 minutes, according to the Opta model (2.1 xGOT).
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Going to simpler stats, he tops the ranking of saves per90 this year – and well clear of any other shot-stopper.
According to Opta data, in fact, he is actually on pace to establishing a record for most saves per90 across a whole campaign since 2004-05, considering keepers to have played as many minutes as him so far (1,440).
Having such positive impact despite being bombarded with shots that are also well placed – and conceding nearly two goals per game – makes his performances this season all the more impressive.
Distribution
Not only is Charles a safe option between the sticks, but also a good fit for modern football. His incredible passing for a goalkeeper makes him a valuable weapon in build-ups.
The youngster has the range to hit forwards in behind but also confidence and ability to play riskier passes down the middle, trying to break lines on the ground rather than booting it long in the air.
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He is one of just six keepers to have assisted a goal in the current Championship season. The others are Middlesbrough’s Sol Brynn, Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson, Preston North End’s Daniel Iversen, Norwich City’s Daniel Grimshaw and Coventry City’s Carl Rushworth.
Charles’ pass actually generated the most expected assists of the six (0.39 xA). None of the other keepers managed to generate more than 0.05 xA with their passes that led to goals.
And he did it immediately after dribbling the ball against his marker. Sheffield Wednesday uploaded the highlight in their social media pages for us all to appreciate.
His country form also prompted the official Uefa Euro profile to publish a compilation of long and/or line-breaking passes from Pierce Charles for Northern Ireland.
As if his on-ball skills weren’t impressive enough, the Owls No.1 has shown ability to work with both feet as well, multiple times.
The combination of great shot-stopping, foot-work, passing range, vision and mobility is a rare one for a 20-year-old goalkeeper.
Big move ahead?
With Sheffield Wednesday already confirmed to play League One football next year, there is no way Pierce Charles doesn’t earn a transfer to a club in a better situation and – at least – one tier above.
The fact that he’s already the number one option in his national team also only increases his value. It’s a lot of quality and experience for such a young keeper. And the Owls will need every pound they can get for him – would be an ideal sale for their alarming current financial state.
But what he needs the most right now is to keep playing and developing. A move to Man City, for instance, as reported, would take him into the exact same situation James Trafford finds himself in right now. He does have chances to shine in cup ties, but not much more than that.
Maybe another year in the Championship – but this time for a promotion-contending side – would be the ideal situation for him. But at this point it’s hard to see him staying at Hillsborough next season.