For Sheffield Wednesday, the 2024/25 season so far has had a few highs and a fair few lows. But one player has been a saving grace.
Danny Rohl entered into his first full season as Sheffield Wednesday manager with plenty of optimism following last season’s great escape.
Then after a strong-looking summer transfer window, followed up by a resounding opening day win against Plymouth Argyle, the bar was set very high.
Since, however, Sheffield Wednesday have offered mixed results in the Championship. The Owls currently sit in 15th place of the Championship table but have 18 points on the board so far, compared to six at this point last season.
Last time out, Sheffield Wednesday lost against Sheffield United in the first Steel City derby since 2019, with a game against Cardiff City at Hillsborough on the agenda for this weekend.
And ahead of the game, there’s been a lot of talk about Southampton loan star Shea Charles.
Incredible Shea Charles statistics prove just how good he is
Charles joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Southampton during the summer transfer window, going straight into the XI for the 3-0 defeat at Millwall earlier in the campaign.
He’s since started every game for the Owls, and for Northern Ireland too, being handed the captain’s armband for the November international break.
Charles shone for Northern Ireland once again during the November break. But it won’t come as any surprise to Sheffield Wednesday fans who rate Charles very highly.
And the stats prove just how good Charles has been for the Owls this season. The 21-year-old is the only player in the Championship to have won 15+ aerial duels, record 20+ interceptions, win 35+ tackles, and win possession back 75+ times.
His heat map below shows just how effective he’s been for Rohl’s side this season…
Southampton stance on Shea Charles recall revealed ahead of January
Speaking earlier in the season, Rohl revealed fears about Charles being recalled by parent club Southampton in January, amid the Saints’ ongoing struggles in the Premier League.
But Sheffield Wednesday News recently revealed that Southampton have no intentions to recall Charles right now, with the club happy with how he’s progressing in the Championship.
Southampton boss Russell Martin’s future is currently uncertain though, and a change in manager could have an impact on the club’s current stance on Charles.
But for the time being, both clubs are happy with Charles’ progression, and the player is happy with how his loan spell is panning out as well.