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January 12, 2024

Bailey Cadamarteri of Sheffield Wednesday Named December’s Young Player of the Month – EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sheffield Wednesday forward Bailey Cadamarteri has been recognized as the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for December.

The 18-year-old has played a crucial role in Wednesday’s resurgence after being responsible for leading the attack by new manager Danny Röhl. Cadamarteri made his league debut in November, becoming a half-time substitute against Millwall. Since then, he has participated in every match, netting three goals and providing one assist throughout December.

Cadamarteri’s fearless approach and skillful play have been vital to Wednesday’s aggressive pressing style under Röhl. Notably, he scored his first senior goal by opening the scoring against Blackburn Rovers and netted equalizers in matches against Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers. He also provided a brilliant assist to the Owls’ winning goal at Preston North End.

“It feels really good to win the award,” Cadamarteri said, speaking to Not the Top 20 Podcast.

“I feel like it’s a gratitude to my hard work recently and I’ve earned it, but obviously for my name to be on a list with some of the previous winners, it’s a complete honour and hopefully I can get to where some of the winners have got to one day.”

Since he was eight years old, Cadamarteri has been a Wednesday academy product. He has risen through the ranks and is well-liked by the Club’s staff. In an attempt to break into the first team, he debuted last season in an EFL Trophy match against Leicester City Under-21s. The 18-year-old’s impressive form in the academy did not go unnoticed, as new manager Röhl strengthened the ties between the academy and first team on Wednesday.

A “whirlwind” two months has also resulted in him recently signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract to keep him at Hillsborough.”

“It really has been a whirlwind,” he continued.  “This time six months ago, I couldn’t have ever dreamed of winning an award like this,  I hadn’t even played any minutes in the Championship or scored any goals outside of the development team, so this really does top it off.

“It’s been tough, but I’m always grateful for the opportunities and I’ll always work hard and try my hardest. The manager has put his trust in me, and I feel like I’ve given him a reason to trust me. There’s a lot of work to be done when you’re competing that regularly in the Championship, but it’s what everyone wants to do and that’s why we do it.”

After winning just one Championship game from August to December, the Owls have since won six games across all competitions. They have risen from the bottom of the table and are now only three points behind Huddersfield Town to be safe. There is no denying that Cadamarteri has played a significant role in the Owls’ recent success, and the place exudes positivity.

“The week before the Millwall game I was involved a lot more than I had ever been before, so I think at that point I knew he was taking me seriously as a player and it’s been great to work under him and learn under him. He’s a great manager.

“It’s a very positive place in the dressing room right now to be honest. The last few weeks since the new manager came in, things have really picked up. He’s brought a new structure to the place, giving people a level of positivity going into every single game, and we firmly believe we’re going to get out of the relegation zone.

“The manager’s main focus is intensity and that’s what we play with. We want to be on top in games and work really hard. For example, he says if we work at that full intensity and you’re tired after 60 minutes but you’ve given your all, that’s fine, someone else will come on and work to the same level to get the result.”

A certain age group of football fans will recall another Cadamarteri who scored as a teenager; this was Bailey’s father, Danny, who made headlines some 26 years ago when he scored in the Merseyside derby at 18. Since football is a big part of their family’s life, Bailey’s brother Callan-Kole also enrolls in the Owls academy. Bailey is doing well in South Yorkshire and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps. He made his debut last November.

“It’s very important to us,” he says. “Obviously my dad played so we’ve all grown up around football and been playing from a young age. I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps, as is my brother. I’m in and around the first team now and I don’t think it’ll be long before he is following in my footsteps either.”

“My dad knows a lot about football; he knows a lot about the mentality, he’s played the game, he’s now a coach, and he knows when he needs to be a bit more hands or when he needs to take a step back.”

Cadamarteri, who has been a part of the Owls academy since he was eight years old, is resolved to return the favor his boyhood club showed in him.

He concluded: “I’ve got a huge connection with the area, I’ve been here since I was eight years old. I feel like I’ve got a lot to give this Club, they’ve helped me since I was a young boy as a person and as a footballer.”

“I’ve got a lot to give back to them and the fans have supported me so much since I came into the team too, so I want to give back to them as well.”

Darren Wassall, the EFL’s Head of Youth Development, continues: “Bailey enjoyed an outstanding December with his contributions playing a vital part in Sheffield Wednesday’s good form. Like so many players, Bailey was given his professional debut in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and has made the most of the opportunity.”

“The EFL is a place for young talent to flourish, so it’s always great to see players establishing themselves. Sheffield Wednesday have clearly chosen the right moment to expose Bailey to first-team football and deserve enormous credit for his development.”

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