This struggling Southampton defender could head back to the Premier League in January

Southampton sold Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Aston Villa in the summer, leaving a vacancy in the defensive department.

In came Zach Abbott, a highly rated young England centre-back, from Nottingham Forest. With experience in the Europa League for Forest and well thought of at the City Ground, it looked an intriguing deal.

However, as November approaches, Abbott has played just once for Southampton.

The defender can play at right-back and centre-back, but has just one 45-minute stint on the flank to his name.

An unusual signing

When reports came out that Southampton were snooping around in the transfer market for the likes of Henrik Falchener of Viking and David Affengruber of Elche (who eventually went to Fulham), it appeared they meant business in replacing Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

New signing Keven Schlotterbeck in the left of central defence looked a snip at £3 million, and a new right centre-half could have bettered their defensive set-up from the season prior.

In the end, Zach Abbott was signed. Jack Stephens and Nathan Wood are being chosen ahead of the 20-year-old loan addition, who featured against Norwich City when James Bree could not play 90 minutes.

Abbott struggled on the whole, but did not play poorly enough for Saints fans to immediately write him off.

Head coach Tonda Eckert has not used him since.

Depth issues may help Abbott

Back-up to James Bree, Mads Roerslev, has not played for Southampton in nearly a year. The Dane’s last Saints appearance was in an eleven-minute outing against Sheffield Wednesday on November 8th 2025.

Roerslev was handed his first involvement in a Saints squad against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Abbott also featured on the bench, but neither were called to arms in a nervy 3-2 win.

Depth issues and the unreliable option that Roerslev has been could end up prolonging Zach Abbott’s stay at Southampton.

However, if Mads Roerslev becomes a regular feature, Abbott may just end up returning to the Premier League sooner than he would have hoped.

Nottingham Forest sent their prospect out on loan to find regular minutes. Abbott isn’t getting that.

Southampton possess the joint-best defence in the Championship based on goals conceded (only 12), showing Tonda Eckert’s side is doing fine without their deadline-day signing.

It’s too early for a final verdict, but don’t be surprised to see the 20-year-old return home when the winter transfer window opens for business.