Carlton Palmer believes Southampton have made a mistake in recalling Shea Charles from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday, with his game time likely to decrease at St Mary’s Stadium.
According to Rob Staton of the BBC Sheffield, Dejphon Chansiri revealed that the Saints had decided to recall him late last night. Sheffield Wednesday might yet finalize a loan move to bring him back to the club in January following his surprising Southampton recall.
According to Alfie House of The Daily Echo, the two teams will need to negotiate a new deal for the midfielder to stay in the Championship for the remainder of the season.
Charles joined on loan from the Saints in the summer and has since established himself as an important member of Danny Röhl’s first-team.
The 21-year-old played 23 league games for Sheffield Wednesday, scoring one goal and assisting four times before returning to Southampton this week.
All of this came when Chanisiri confessed that he and Röhl had not communicated since December during a Fans Forum event on Wednesday evening.
Carlton Palmer blasts Southampton over Shea Charles recall decision
Carlton Palmer, an ex-England international and current EFL pundit, believes Ivan Jurić and co. made a mistake by removing Charles from an atmosphere where he had become a crucial player and appeared consistently.
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “Along with the news of a breakdown in communications between Danny Röhl and Dejphon Chanisiri is the news that Shea Charles was recalled by Southampton very late last night into his loan.
“It’s a massive blow for Sheffield Wednesday. The 21-year-old has impressed during his 24 appearances for the Owls under the former Saints assistant manager.
“He’s recorded a goal and four assists. They had until midnight on Wednesday to recall the Northern Ireland international and they have made a very late call to do so.
“He’s viewed as a very intelligent, powerful, and athletic midfield player, and one who could thrive under the new system devised by the new manager.
“But it also doesn’t make any sense to me to recall the player. They are rock bottom of the league and ten points from safety. They are relegated! They’re not going to get out of the predicament they are in.
“Surely Shea Charles would benefit from playing and gaining more experience in the Championship. His 22nd birthday is not until November.
“He can still go back on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, but they would have to negotiate a new additional loan fee for him. They’d have to agree that to bring the player back.
“It’s crazy. I understand that the Southampton manager’s predicament is looking at what he can do and they are obviously planning for next season.
“Maybe some players will be leaving in the January transfer window, but it is not going to benefit Shea playing in the Premier League from now until the end of the season.
“It would benefit him more playing in the Championship, and with the manager seeing him playing regularly at that level to fit him in the plans for next season for Southampton in the Championship.
“It makes more sense to me. But it is a massive blow to Sheffield Wednesday – the talks of a breakdown in communication between the chairman and Röhl and now this as well.”
Shea Charles loss will be a huge blow to Sheffield Wednesday if he does not return
Losing someone who has been a key player for the squad both in and out of possession is a major loss, even if a new loan is reached, especially given that other teams will be interested.
According to The Star, one of them is a bitter rival. The midfielder has surfaced as a potential alternative for the Blades after the Premier League club activated the recall clause in his contract with Wednesday.
Sheffield United has long been interested in Charles, and they reportedly contemplated an approach last summer before he joined with Sheffield Wednesday. After losing Ollie Arblaster to a long-term injury, they require depth and reinforcement.
It might be an even bigger blow to Sheffield Wednesday than him staying at Southampton, as they will be looking for any alternative that does not include him signing for the red and white half of Sheffield.
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