Sheffield Wednesday’s Joey Pelupessy happy to play ‘for as long as it takes’

With the authorities weighing up how feasible a resumption of the campaign would be, the Dutchman is thought to be the first Championship player to publicly offer to extend a deal due to expire next month.

The Football League still hope to complete the season within a 56-day window but with contracts typically running until June 30 – 56 days from today – there are concerns some clubs may not have the players to do so.

Most professionals whose deals expire in June have kept their counsel, but Pelupessy is happy to extend his for “as long as it takes” to play the Owls’ remaining nine Championship matches.

“I hope we’re going to finish the season and I want to finish it personally,” said the 26-year-old.

“I would be happy to extend my contract for four or six weeks or whatever so this can happen. For me it doesn’t matter how long it takes, but to be honest, the longer this goes on, the more doubt there is about whether we’re going to finish the season. We all hope we will but we just don’t know what’s going to happen.

“In Holland they’ve stopped the league already and the longer it takes in England (to reach a decision), the chances will be less because you’ve got other competitions to consider. From a football perspective the best thing is to finish it but if it’s not possible for health reasons, you cannot.”

Pelupessy is one of 15 first-teamers, including five loanees, due to leave Hillsborough this summer, though he would like to return for 2020-21.

FIFA have suggested a blanket extension of contracts, but this would be unenforceable under English law. Some chairmen have suggested since released players receive a severance payment equivalent to one month’s wages, they should play for free in July.

Last week the League suggested a June 23 deadline to offer short-term arrangements, a longer-term deal, or inform players their services will no longer be needed.

Having joined the Owls from Heracles in 2018, Pelupessy is hoping this is not going to be his final season. He was optimistic before the coronavirus pandemic, but now has to wait and see its economic impact. Football Association chairman Greg Clarke wrote to the FA Council on Friday saying he fears fans will not return to football stadiums “any time soon”, and that will have a huge impact on clubs’ revenue.

“To have had (contract) talks by now was the plan but it’s been a bit quiet since this crisis,” said Pelupessy. “We had (initial) conversations but not much (was said at that stage) and before they could really get going, it (the pandemic) had started. They’ve stopped now because no one knows what’s going to happen.

“When we get back to training I think the conversations will start again. Maybe it’s too soon now.

“But I hope we can agree something because if the contract is finished and the season is back on, you cannot play.

“I’d really like to stay because Sheffield Wednesday are a massive club. I could smell from the first day they really wanted promotion.

“We’ve a nice team, nice players and the manager (Garry Monk) is a nice guy. If I can stay I would be really happy about that. England is a beautiful country to play in. For a lot of players from outside it’s a dream to play in England.”

Pelupessy has made 71 Wednesday appearances, 52 of them league starts, but has been a bit-part player this season, kicking off nine Championship matches and five cup ties. An abrupt end to 2019-20 could mean leaving without the chance to say goodbye.

“That would be really strange but I haven’t thought much about that,” said Pelupessy. “The things I can control are to work hard and be as fit as possible, then see what happens. It’s not always easy to think too much about things you can’t control because you’re throwing energy away.

“I’m a positive guy so let’s see. (The futures of) a lot of players are in doubt. Before Christmas everything was positive but now it is just wait and see.”

Isolating in his homeland poses further potential complications for Pelupessy. Last month the League advised clubs not to expect to resume training until May 16 at the earliest. With that date less than a fortnight away, there has been no further update as football weighs up medical advice and logistical problems.

There is an expectation the Government could introduce a 14-day quarantine to visitors from abroad but this has not yet been forthcoming.

“It’s an issue for the foreigners and we’ve been in touch with the manager about it,” confirmed Pelupessy. “If we find out training’s going to start in two weeks we need to get back there so we’re ready for the start of training.”

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