Will Smallbone was loaned to Stoke City by Southampton last year, but they have decided to employ him this year.
Given how valuable he may be in the Championship and how his time at the bet365 Stadium will have aided his development, it was only natural that they would employ him after their relegation.
However, despite their drop to the second tier, there are still some players who aren’t quite ready to contribute to the first squad or who need to be temporarily shipped out to lower the salary expense.
Armel Bella-Kotchap and Duje Caleta-Car’s loan exits and temporary joining of Lyon and PSV will have assisted in lowering their pay expense.
Dom Ballard and others have been dispatched to obtain some much-needed expertise.
Ballard is expected to pick up a lot of knowledge from his time at Reading, and despite the Royals’ off-field issues, he will be expecting to gain something from his time there.
However, we have looked at other players who they might consider loaning out in January.
Larios did make five league appearances for the Saints, but the adolescent will be disappointed that he hasn’t played w
ith the first team yet this year.
He might have played a significant role in the South Coast side’s ambitions if it weren’t for his injury, but he will be sidelined for at least another few months.
Some might argue that he should be a member of the starting lineup when he returns, but it might take him some time to regain his footing after such an extended absence, therefore it could be argued that loaning him out would be in the Saints’ best interest.
He might be a tremendous asset during the season if he can have a successful loan period away from St. Mary’s.
Meghoma, an England international, played Gillingham in the Carabao Cup earlier this season despite being only 17 years old.
The left-back may think he has a chance to step up lower down in the EFL, or even in the National League, as an England youth international.
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It may be argued that Meghoma is too young to be sent away, but Reading’s current loanee Ballard is only 18 years old, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he did.
Given that Manning and another available option can both play on the left side, Kyle Walker-Peters may find it challenging to secure significant playing time at St. Mary’s this season.
