£3k-a-week star will leave Sheffield Wednesday in June - They will miss him massively | OneFootball

Shea Charles has proven a shrewd loan signing from Sheffield Wednesday this season

Shea Charles will be returning to Southampton at the end of the campaign and Sheffield Wednesday will miss him massively.

Danny Rohl’s side have continued to improve under the German coach, and one major factor for their solid mid-table position in the Championship this year is the role the midfielder has played in the team.

Charles arrived in the summer from the Saints after struggling for game time under Russell Martin, starting just 15 of his 32 league appearances as the club gained promotion to the Premier League in the previous term.

This led to a loan switch to Hillsborough, where he has been a regular starter for the Owls, contributing one goal and five assists from 38 appearances, 37 starts.

But with only a handful of games remaining, Sheffield Wednesday are now facing the prospect of needing to replace the Northern Irishman in the summer, with the player set to return to Southampton.

Shea Charles’ impressive Sheffield Wednesday performances

Charles’ defensive improvement this season has seen him go from making 2.13 tackles and 1.38 interceptions per 90 for Southampton last year to 2.80 tackles and 1.56 interceptions this term, as well as an increase in clearances (1.56 vs. 1.73), all stats from Fbref.

While his passing levels have taken a small dip, the move to Sheffield Wednesday has seen him playing in a side that’s struggled to maintain possession as well as Martin’s team did last year.

So in that context, his very small decline in progressive passing — 5.95 per 90 last season compared to 5.43 this year — is actually a positive sign.

As is his very small dip in progressive carries, 1.56 down to 1.47, a drop that’s nothing to be concerned about, especially as he is improving his shot-creating actions per 90 anyway.

Charles has gone from 1.94 to 3.23 per 90 in this area, making him a much stronger attacking threat, which is evidenced more clearly by having five assists to his name at Hillsborough compared to none for the Saints.

Given he’s on an estimated weekly wage of £3,000, per Capology, this deal has proven very shrewd business by the Yorkshire outfit.

Danny Rohl could link up with Shea Charles at Southampton

Charles has stood out as one of the division’s most impressive midfielders this season, and has been a central part of Sheffield Wednesday’s campaign.

The 21-year-old has proven both defensively solid and a great passer on the ball, making him an all-rounder that will surely have a role to play for the Saints in the second division now that their relegation has been confirmed.

It remains to be seen who their manager will be, although it’s possible Rohl will be in charge at St. Mary’s next season, based on suggestions he is the front-runner for the current managerial vacancy.

It’s a reunion that would make a lot of sense for the south coast club given how well the player’s excelled under Rohl this season, but it would further emphasise the disaster the Owls are now facing going into the summer.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri and Rohl haven’t always seen eye-to-eye at Sheffield Wednesday, but they have to get on the same page with this if the club wants to continue improving year-on-year.

While it’s unlikely Charles could be signed on a permanent basis, the Owls must prioritise keeping Rohl happy this summer and that will surely begin by seeking a suitable replacement for the Southampton youngster.