Stuart Armstrong Set To Join Shea Charles At Sheffield Wednesday
Friday, 31st Jan 2025 09:00

Many Southampton supporters were disappointed when Stuart Armstrong turned down a new contract at St Mary's last summer and left to become a free agent and subsequently join Vancouver Whitecaps

Stuart Armstrong played a big part in Saints promotion season and many Saints fans were raging at the club for letting him go last summer, that was not quite in the club's own hands, although they offered him a new deal, the fact was the player himself believed he would get a better one elsewhere.

Initially he trained with Brentford, but the West London club decided not so sign him and with no other interest in Premier League clubs he joined Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS.

In their remaining 9 games in the MLS he would start just once and come on as a sub on another 5 occasions, amassing just 124 minutes on the pitch in total.

Now it seems he could be back in England and is on the verge of joining up with ex Saints team mate Shea Charles who will now remain at Sheffield Wednesday for the rest of the season.

Turning 33 in March Armstrong will do a job in the Championship and all Southampton supporters will wish him well, after a slow start at St Mary's he became a popular figure and played a part in Saints promotion season, although sadly missing the last 6 games of the season including the 3 play off games through injury.

All Photos Via Reuters

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

IanRC added 11:10 - Jan 31 Thought we should have given Shea Charles a chance in the first team myself. Also yes Stuart Armstrong was a big loss.
2

SaintPaulVW added 12:19 - Jan 31 The Armstrong of 2-3 years ago was a great player. Unfortunately time and injuries catch up with every baller.
1

AmericanSaint added 12:40 - Jan 31 Yeah Stuey was a good player in his day,. I also agree that we should be giving Shea Charles a serious look and runout instead of loaning him back out. Again the inmates running the asylum.
3

underweststand added 11:35 - Feb 1

The fantasy of getting a "fan favourite" back in the fold maybe a tad sentimental if we think they can make big contributions to performances. The truth is, it seldom happens.
It maybe a nice memory for a returning player, who spent his early career at SMS, but that is history and perhaps only worth a few nice photos in the album.
Getting Theo Walcott back for a couple of seasons rang out like a verse of Old Lang Syne, and a few games showed a real touch of class, but clearly his best days were long gone.

Like many others I liked some of Stuey's games which were inspirational, but his catalogue of injuries proved he was seldom going to be a starter again, and those desperate sub. apps. when a game was already lost, did little to improve his image.
Making a move away to get game time is good for such a player, and the chance for his successor to move up, although we must consider the consequences of keeping such players at the club on high salaries, when providing so little in return.

Players past 30 are looking toward their final years in the game, but it's only the likes of Messi and CR who hit the jackpot with a big money move in their declining careers.

I would have liked to have seen Shea Charles back with us, but a few months playing alongside Stuart Armstrong will go a long way towards improving his footballing nous.
Let's hope we don't miss the opportunity to get him back at the end of the season.