Aston Villa star Rogers, who is expected to feature in the World Cup with England, has left Manchester City to make Middlesbrough a springboard to the top level. Charles could follow in the footsteps of a man he knows well.
His lackadaisical style of play has already been compared to that of Bellingham, Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’, while some believe that former Arsenal great Patrick Vieira is another role model, due to the similarities between Charles and the World Cup-winning Frenchman in terms of physical characteristics and ability to impose themselves in midfield.
Long added: “It’s difficult to compare him to someone like him who has proven himself for 20 years in the Premier League. This is also the case with Jude, given the level he has reached.
“I am convinced that Shea does not think that way. He just works to improve his game and become the best version of himself. He’s a true professional: he takes care of his body, goes through sessions and does everything necessary, even – especially – when no one is watching.
“He puts in that extra effort so that once he gets on the field, he’s fully prepared and has the right mindset. The future looks bright for him, but the future looks bright for a lot of players on this team. »
Romeo Lavia, another product of City and Southampton’s academies, joined Chelsea for more than £50 million ($68 million) in 2023. Asked about Charles’ additional strengths in midfield, Long concluded: “Yes, he’s a quality player. He just has to keep working to improve. He simply must maintain his level of demands and refine his game.
Many players trained at Southampton have gone on to have more successful careers. Sadio Mané, Virgil van Dijk, Luke Shaw and many others were able to express themselves and show their talent. It is an excellent school for young people arriving.
All have taken a step toward bigger and better skies, and I hope Shea follows the same trajectory. But for now I want them to focus on Southampton and winning against City. »
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