Shea Charles has found himself out of the Southampton team in recent games, but with Will Smallbone an injury doubt for the game against Huddersfield Town he will be determined to show he can step up.
Charles featured regularly at the start of the season, but has been one of the casualties of Russell Martin stumbling across his favoured midfield three. As Flynn Downes’ fitness has improved he has made the holding midfield spot his own and more often than not has Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong either side of him.
Armstrong and Smallbone’s influence have grown as the season has gone on, with Armstrong’s two goals and Smallbone’s three goals and one assists showing how they are key to helping with the attacking burden.
Downes is the metronome at the base of the midfield and sets the tempo for the passing machine that Southampton have become, so it has been difficult for Charles to get a sniff recently. However, with Smallbone a doubt after pulling out of Ireland’s squad after their game against Greece through injury, Charles could get his chance to return to the side against Huddersfield.
Charles confidence high after impressive international performance
Whilst Smallbone pulled out of Ireland duty, Charles was impressive as Northern Ireland secured a shock 2-0 win over Denmark in the final game of Euros qualifying.
Playing in the centre of midfield, Charles was imperious and even provided the assist for his nation’s opening goal. Having missed the 4-0 defeat to Finland days earlier through suspension, it was clear in Belfast on Monday night just how important Charles is to Northern Ireland despite his age.
The fact Charles has eight international caps despite only having made 16 senior club appearances in his career so far is testament to both the ability and maturity of the former Manchester City man. This was echoed by his international manager, Michael O’Neil, in the wake of the victory over Denmark as he said: “What he (Charles) has demonstrated is real maturity, an ability to take the ball in his own half during the build-up phase”.
Journalist Steven Crawford of Belfast Live gave Charles a match rating of eight out of ten for his performance against Denmark and hailed the youngster’s display as ‘majestic‘.
Charles a victim of his own versatility
One of the key problems Charles has faced since joining Southampton is his versatility, meaning that Martin has not been entirely sure what his best position is. Ironically, this is almost certainly one of the main reasons Southampton decided to spend a fee of £10m – which could rise to £15m – for a player that had only made one Premier League appearance Manchester City.
Transfermarkt has identified that Charles has played four games in central midfield this season, one as a defensive midfielder and two as a centre back in his seven starts in all competitions this season. The two games that Charles played in defence were the 4-1 defeat against Leicester City and the 1-0 loss to Ipswich Town in which Charles made the mistake for the goal.
Since then, it appears Martin has decided that Charles should primarily be a midfielder for his Southampton side. With Downes one of the first names on the team sheet, Charles has had to adapt to play more as an ‘8’ than a ‘6’ which means he has more responsibility going forward.
This is an area in which Charles needs to improve, but he does tend to play as a box-to-box midfielder for Northern Ireland. It is likely this is the role Charles will perform as a straight swap for Smallbone should he be chosen as the Ireland international’s replacement.
If Charles performs well it could mean he keeps his spot for the Saints’ next game, at home to Bristol City in midweek.