Sheffield Wednesday defender Gabriel Otegbayo revealed that he wasn’t expecting to make his Championship debut on Tuesday night against Norwich City. The 20-year-old centre-back, who has impressed Owls manager Danny Röhl in recent months, has steadily earned his place in the team. After an eye-catching preseason in Germany and Austria, Otegbayo was handed starting opportunities in the Carabao Cup at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Röhl has spoken highly of his potential, particularly his leadership skills for such a young player, and after Otegbayo was given a chance to play against Premier League side Brentford last month, it seemed he was on the verge of a league appearance as well.
That chance came sooner than expected when an injury to Dominic Iorfa left Röhl needing to make a change in defense. Opting for the young academy graduate, who has only been with the club for around eight months, Otegbayo found himself with the responsibility of helping to protect a 2-0 lead. Despite the pressure, the defender rose to the occasion and played a key role in securing the victory. While he admitted that being called up for the game came as a surprise, Otegbayo felt prepared for the challenge. “It was a great feeling and a great occasion,” he said after the match. “I was buzzing to get onto the pitch. I was ready and prepared, the gaffer and his staff believe in me, so I went on full of confidence knowing I’ve got great lads around me. You know what’s at stake, especially after the result on Saturday, so at 2-0 up, as long as I did my job, we’d get the three points we were hoping for.”
Otegbayo also reflected on his emotions during the game, calling the experience “surreal” and noting how quickly the match went by. “It flew past,” he said. “So, I’ve been able to soak it in today and hopefully there’s more to come.” He emphasized that he would continue to work hard, stay focused, and listen to the coaching staff to improve further. “It’s been great,” he added. “I’m taking it step by step, learning every day, and being mentally switched on when a chance comes my way.” With the team now focused on the upcoming Steel City derby against Sheffield United, Otegbayo’s performance against Norwich City suggests he’s more than capable of stepping up if needed again—whether as a starter or in a later role during the match at Bramall Lane.
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