Shea Charles reflects on first season at Southampton FC

The 20 year old signed a four-year contract at Saints last summer after making the switch from Premier League champions Manchester City.

In his first season on the South Coast, Charles made 38 appearances across all competitions, starting 15 times in the Championship.

Speaking to Southampton’s media team, the Northern Ireland international insisted he is pleased with his first year, but knows he still has areas to work on.

He said: “I didn’t really have a target about how many games I’d play. 

“I’d probably say I’d like to have started more games – to get full games and more confidence when you’re playing, that’s when you can get a bit of rhythm.

 “After a couple of good performances in a row, confidence is on a high. With the amount of games I’ve played (overall), I’m happy. 

Shea Charles played 32 times in the Championship last season (Image: Matt Watson / SFC)

“It’s my first season – not everything’s going to be perfect, everyone knows that, but I can be satisfied with my first season in professional football.

“I feel like I’ve done alright. In the games I’ve started, I feel like I’ve been able to show what I’m about a bit more. 

“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to come in terms of my ability and showing everyone what I can do, taking next season to push on.”

Charles' performances have drawn praise from manager Russell Martin, particularly early in the season.

The youngster was named man of the match at Plymouth Argyle on his full league debut before also impressing against QPR.

However, following Flynn Downes' arrival on loan from West Ham, Charles saw his regular minutes reduced.

Shea Charles joined Southampton from Manchester City last summer (Image: PA)

He started just four times in the league during 2024 and was even left out of the squad on a few occasions, a decision which Martin defended.

Despite the bumps in the road, Charles has enjoyed his first season working under the former Scotland defender.

"He’s a very open guy and a good guy to work with, both on and off the pitch," he explained.

"He’s really good with us players, very honest, so you know whatever he’s telling you is going to be right.

“Obviously, we talk about what I can do better and what I do well, and that sort of stuff is what I’m trying to implement into my game. 

"I’d say it’s just the intensity, compared to the kind of football I was playing before in the under-21s – just adjusting to it.

“I feel like – and he feels like – I’ve got better at that towards the end of the season, so I think that’s probably the main one, but I feel like I’m getting there and I’m improving a lot.”

He continued" “It’s different having a full season, game after game, two games a week for a long period of time, but I’ve enjoyed it.

Shea Charles has featured in midfield and defence (Image: Stuart Martin)

“I wouldn’t say the environment (is different), because I’ve been in and around it at my former club, but I’d say more the schedule of how demanding it is.

“The league I was playing in before (PL2), it’s Premier League teams but they’re younger players, so most teams want to play football – or at least try and play football.

“But when you come here, teams know what they want to do. They’ll play channel balls and just hit the widemen, and can be very direct, so the main thing is just teams knowing what they want to do.

“Even when you’re winning, you can be 2-0 up and you still need to be on the ball and be ready for any sort of counter-attack, or any sort of chance that they have."