Tonda Eckert must offload Southampton star that Man Utd boss Michael Carrick called 'terrific' | OneFootball

Cameron Archer needs a fresh start away from Southampton this summer

Southampton are set for a very busy end to the transfer window regarding outgoings, as Tonda Eckert looks to trim some of the fat from his squad ahead of the season really getting into gear.

The Saints were beaten quite heavily against West Ham United in the EFL Cup second round this past Tuesday, meaning that, until they're drawn in the FA Cup in January, they just have Championship games to contend with.

And while the second tier schedule can be gruelling, it should mean that certain players who have hardly gotten a look-in even with the cup games in between should be almost certain to depart St Mary's before the window closes next Tuesday.

The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Gavin Bazunu, Damion Downes, Mads Roerslev and Yuki Sugawara, who haven't even featured in matchday squads thus far, should all be set to leave in some capacity, whether that be on loan or permanently, depending on if the right deal arises.

However, there's one man who is in a liminal state between being in plans and not being involved at all, and he should be angling to leave, too.

Cameron Archer is in a tough situation at Southampton right now

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Cameron Archer has played just 15 minutes this season off the bench for Southampton in the EFL Cup first round against Colchester United. Outside of that, he's still being picked for squads, but hasn't gotten off the bench in the three other competitive games.

The 24-year-old isn't in the situation that the likes of Downes or Ben Brereton Diaz are in, where they're both clearly not part of Tonda Eckert's plans. Archer is still in those plans, but not in as prominent a role as he could be.

The permanent arrival of Cyle Larin and the loan signing of Divin Mubama have relegated Archer to third choice, and with the Saints boss opting for one central striker, it means that those two rotate between each other, leaving Archer to pick up the scraps.

It happened last season, too, when Larin and Ross Stewart were rotating, but at least Archer was able to get minutes off the bench and actually started some games towards the end of the regular campaign. Right now, it seems almost impossible for him to break into the side while those two are ahead.

Cameron Archer needs to rediscover the quality that made him one of the Championship's top strikers

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It wasn't long ago, however, that Archer was being tipped as one of the brightest young frontmen in the EFL in loan spells at Preston North End and Middlesbrough.

His short-term spell with the latter in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign saw him managed by current Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, who raved about him after securing the deal.

"He's a terrific young player and can play off his left foot or his right foot," Carrick said.

"He can score headers, he's energetic and has a change of pace. I'm really looking forward to working with him."

Over those two loan spells, Archer scored 18 times in 40 Championship appearances, 11 of which came at the Riverside, as he helped Boro make the play-offs. He also contributed six assists, too, leaving his goal involvement tally at 17 in 20 games.

Cameron Archer hasn't had a fair crack at the Championship since that Middlesbrough loan

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Archer lived off those excellent two loan spells for a couple of years afterwards. Indeed, he earned eight-figure Premier League moves in each of the two summers following that run with the Teesiders.

Sheffield United would have spent £18 million on the striker if they'd stayed in the Premier League during the 2023/24 term. That year, Archer netted four in 29 as the Blades were relegated, allowing Aston Villa to invoke a buy-back clause.

The Villains would then sell him to Southampton, who had just been promoted back to the Premier League, for £15 million, meaning that last season was his first back in the Championship since 2022/23.

As mentioned, Archer hardly got into the squad, especially under Tonda Eckert when Ross Stewart had returned. He played fewer than 1,000 minutes, only started 11 games and didn't make it off the bench in either of their play-off semi-final legs against Middlesbrough.

That being said, he still managed four goals and three assists in the limited time he had. There's still the quality there at this level, but it's clearly being wasted on the bench at St Mary's.

Southampton should definitely consider a loan move for Cameron Archer before September 1

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With new arrival Lewis Dobbin playing his best through the middle at Preston last season, he'll be able to cover up front at a last resort in case of injury, which would open the door for Archer to leave.

Archer still has two years remaining on his Southampton deal, meaning that even if the Saints loan the 24-year-old out this season, he'll be able to be sold next summer with his value higher if he performs elsewhere.

Preston have been linked with a short-term move, which would see him return to Deepdale four years after his initial loan spell expired. The Lilywhites are in desperate need of attacking additions after selling Milutin Osmajic earlier this week.

Giving Archer the necessary game time to excel could lead to similar numbers being posted as his other loan spells in this division, which would encourage many fans to believe that the 24-year-old still has the quality that got them excited a few years back.