Southampton view given amid James Bree's Charlton Athletic impact - 'you have got to feel sorry for him' | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton Fan Pundit Martin gives his thoughts on James Bree's Southampton future amid his good form at Charlton.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

James Bree has started fantastically on loan at Charlton Athletic.

The right-back joined the club on a four-month loan deal from Southampton over the summer - reuniting with Nathan Jones, who Bree played under at both Luton and the Saints.

Charlton themselves have started well, with the Addicks currently occupying the final play-off place in the Championship. Bree has found the back of the net twice and registered three assists across eight appearances thus far, while Southampton are continuing to struggle following their return to the Championship.

Football League World's Saints Fan Pundit, Martin Sanders, suggested that Bree never quite got a fair run at St Mary's, which has ended in the full-back producing the numbers in South London, rather than on the South Coast.

"Got to feel sorry for him" - James Bree, Southampton claim made

"He always seems to perform really well for Nathan Jones," said Martin when asked whether he is shocked at how well Bree is performing at the Valley.

"He brought him to Southampton because he trusts him as a right-back. You have got to feel sorry for him really. He left Luton before Southampton got relegated and Luton got promoted."

Following his arrival in January 2023, Bree would go on to make 50 appearances for the Saints across a season and a half in the Premier League, and a season in the Championship - though only 22 of these came in the top-flight.

"He is a top player, but he never really got a run of games," added Martin, after Bree featured just 17 times as Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last term. "But, you could never fault his quality. Jones just knows how to get the best out of him."

"I am glad that Saints have the option to bring him back in January, because we've got two right-backs at the moment, and I think he is better than both!"

Bree would provide a significant upgrade for the Saints - but he may want to stay with Jones

Southampton's current right-back options consist of Elias Jelert and Mads Roerslev, with the Danish pair both arriving in the summer from Galatasaray and Brentford, respectively.

And thus far, both have been in and out of the team, with Roerslev appearing six times, and Jelert three times, while neither has racked up a goal contribution from right wing back.

Since Bree arrived at the Valley, he has continued to become a key figure under Nathan Jones. He sits in the 94th percentile for chances created when compared with right-backs across the division, creating 2.68 per 90, while his goalscoring record sees him sit in the 94th percentile once again.

He is currently on loan with the Addicks until January, meaning that he will be a Southampton player once again. However, with his form considered, Charlton will likely want to retain his services permanently.

This could be something that Bree himself wants too, with the full-back making 112 appearances for the Welshman - the most under one specific manager in his career.

His start to the campaign at the Valley continues to prove that Jones knows exactly how to get the best out of him, and when this is combined with Charlton's place in the division compared to Southampton, a permanent move may work out best for all parties.