Russell Martin has allowed a number of players to leave Southampton on loan this season in the hope that they can continue their development before returning to the club better players next summer.
Given Southampton made 14 first-team signings and places in Russell Martin‘s squad are limited, it makes sense to allow those who are unlikely to feature heavily to leave on loan.
Owners Sport Republic have been looking to negotiate permanent deals for the Saints players who do not appear to have a future at the club, whilst loan deals represent a sensible solution for players who are not yet ready to make an impact for Southampton in the Premier League.
The likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and Sekou Mara have all been moved on permanently this summer, whilst Southampton have seen fit to allow 11 players make temporary switches.
With that in mind, here is how each Southampton player out on loan has fared so far.
Southampton loanee Shea Charles makes instant impact at Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton spent a fee that could rise to £15 million to sign Shea Charles from Manchester City last summer.
This fee reflected the huge potential the Saints felt 20-year-old Charles has but, with promotion to the Premier League and the loan signing of Lesley Ugochukwu, game time was expected to be limited for the Northern Ireland midfielder this season.
Therefore, Charles was allowed to link up with former Southampton coach Danny Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday, where he impressed on his debut despite a 3-0 loss to Millwall.
The Star rated Charles’ only Wednesday appearance so far a seven out of ten, which was the highest score of any Wednesday player on the day, commenting: “Stepped straight in from the off and looked a drop of class; a tackle, tight space dribble and excellent pass coming within three minutes.
“Though Wednesday faded, his little moments continued. Looks a very steady pick-up.”
Southampton will hope Charles can be an important player for Wednesday in the Championship this season and return ready to make his mark.
The Saints signed Samuel Edozie from Manchester City a year prior to Charles and the winger was expected to be involved in Martin’s squad this season.
However, a poor start to the campaign combined with the arrivals of Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet on Deadline Day has seen the Edozie allowed to join Anderlecht on loan.
21-year-old Edozie signed for the Belgian club after the transfer deadline in the UK during the international break so is yet to make his debut.
Southampton duo sent straight to Goztepe on loan
Sport Republic have an extensive scouting network and this saw the Saints sign Juan from Sau Paulo this summer, as well as Kuryu Matsuki from FC Tokyo.
Aged 22 and 21, neither player is deemed ready to instantly make the jump to the Premier League so have both joined sister club Goztepe on loan.
- READ MORE: Rasmus Ankersen explains why Southampton and Goztepe both benefit from Sport Republic ownership
Striker Juan has featured in all three league games since joining and provided an assist off the bench on his debut before earning a start last time out as Goztepe have started the season unbeaten following promotion to the Turkish top flight.
Matsuki is an attacking midfielder who would not yet be able to play for Southampton due to not having a work permit and has played just 11 minutes since linking up with Goztepe so far.
Dom Ballard stands out from Southampton under-21 loanees
The rest of the players Southampton have sent out on loan this season are youth products.
19-year-old striker Dom Ballard is an academy talent that many Southampton fans are excited about and his loan spell at Reading last season was cruelly cut short very early due to a Patella injury after he had scored five and assisted three in 12 games in all competitions.
This summer, Ballard secured a loan move to League One Blackpool where he has scored once in three league appearances so far playing off the left wing.
Centre-back Zach Awe has suffered a difficult introduction to senior football at Accrington Stanley in League Two, playing all seven games in all competitions but yet to taste victory, conceding 20 goals.
Also in League Two, 20-year-old right-back Lewis Payne has featured three times for Cheltenham Town, winning two and losing one, with Nico Lawrence yet to play since the opening day for MK Dons.
19-year-old midfielder Cameron Bragg is playing a level higher in League One and has made seven appearances for Crawley Town, although he has started just once in the league.
Saints signed 18-year-old midfielder Daouda Traore from Nice this summer and loaned him immediately to their other sister club Valenciennes in the French third tier where he has so far played just once in a 3-1 win.
The final loanee is 21-year-old goalkeeper Oliver Wright who is earning invaluable experience in the National League with Yeovil Town.
The stopper has played six games so far, conceding eight goals and keeping one clean sheet.