Football League World
·20 November 2024
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·20 November 2024
Shea Charles signed for Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Southampton last summer
Journalist Rob Staton has warned Sheffield Wednesday about the possibility of Southampton recalling Shea Charles in the January transfer window.
The midfielder has been an important part of Danny Rohl’s side so far this season, having joined on loan from the Saints in the summer, but could be recalled in the new year by his parent club.
The 21-year-old made the switch to Hillsborough following the Hampshire outfit’s promotion to the Premier League.
He made 32 appearances for the top flight side last year on their way to play-off final victory, including 15 starts.
Since making the move to the Owls, he has started all 12 of his Championship appearances, and has contributed one goal and one assist.
Staton has warned that losing Charles to Southampton in January would be a real blow to Rohl’s team.
However, he believes it is unclear just yet whether the Saints would want to bring him back to St. Mary’s, suggesting his regular game time in the Championship is proving beneficial for his development.
“I suppose it depends on how Southampton feel about Charles and his development,” said Staton, via the BBC.
“Whether they think he’s just better off playing games, and playing every week, as opposed to, ‘The season’s not going to plan, we’ll bring him back and have him in the squad because it’s a bad look to have a player playing well somewhere else’.
“But again, just because he’s playing well at Sheffield Wednesday doesn’t mean that he’s ready to go and take the Premier League by storm.
“So they might think 40 games playing for Wednesday is better than sitting on the bench, not playing for Southampton or getting the odd game here and there.
“So we’ll see. I’m sure as we get closer to January it’ll become clearer as to what’s happening there.
“But if Wednesday lost him, it’d be a huge blow.”
Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping Charles can stay around and help the club compete as high up the Championship table as possible in the second half of the campaign.
The Owls are currently 15th in the table, just three points clear of the relegation zone after 15 games.
The Yorkshire outfit will be keen to avoid another relegation fight, after narrowly avoiding the drop in the previous campaign.
Next up for Sheffield Wednesday is a home clash against 22nd place Cardiff City on 23 November in a 12.30pm kick-off.
Charles’ development has been aided by this move to Sheffield Wednesday, where he is getting the consistent game time that he needs.
His move is also working out well for Sheffield Wednesday, who have added quality to their midfield options for the season.
Losing him would be a blow, and it could hurt Charles’ development, unless Southampton believe he can contribute consistently in the Premier League.
His lack of minutes last year made it difficult for him to make too strong of an impression, so what he needs is to continue playing at this level to prepare for a summer return to St. Mary’s.