Charlton Transfer Business - Summer 2018-19
Before the transfer window started, many fans were questioning if there would be many transfers and whether controversial owner, Roland Duchâtelet, would continue to deplete the already threadbare squad. The Addicks have relied heavily on loans for the past few seasons, and it could be the same situation this season. Lee Bowyer and Steve Gallen will have to work miracles to give Charlton any sort of side that resembles a squad. They'll undoubtedly have their hands tied with little to no backing and it could be a long transfer window!
Lyle Taylor - With the departure of Josh Magennis and a serious lack of goals and finishing chances that annoyingly impacted the Addicks dramatically last season, Lyle Taylor is exactly what is needed. A clinical striker who has scored 10-20 goals on a consistent basis at League One level, with 14 goals last season.
Darren Pratley - The experienced defensive midfielder has won promotion at this level before with Bolton and has experience of the Leagues above too. From the games played so far, Pratley is a solid defensive midfielder who isn't afraid of a challenge, something that is needed following the departure of Ahmed Kashi.
Jed Steer (Loan) - With Dillon Phillips (23) and Ashley Maynard-Brewer (19) being the only two goalkeepers at the club before the window started, goalkeeper was one of the priority positions to strengthen. And with the help of Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce, Bowyer managed to add Jed Steer to his ranks. Going by the reaction of Villa fans, the general consensus was that he is too good a keeper to be playing League One football and should be playing for a lower-mid-table Championship team at least. Charlton haven't had an established goalkeeper of their own for two years, but the loans they've brought in have proved to be some of the best in the league. A risky game to play, but a necessary one with no backing.
Krystian Bielik (Loan) - The promising Arsenal youngster has had a previous loan spell at Championship side Birmingham and comes with positive reviews from fans of the midland outfit. He is a versatile central defender that can also play as a central defensive midfielder. Versatility is a useful attribute, especially with the small squad and lack of depth in some positions in Bowyer's team. Bielik now allows Bowyer to experiment with his back line to find the most solid combination and could even experiment with different formations as we could use a back four, or a back five seeing as we have more depth now.
Josh Cullen (Loan) - The young central midfielder from West Ham will likely be a stand in for the injured Jake Forster-Caskey. Forster-Caskey has been one of, if not, the most important part of our team for the last season and a half. He kept the ball ticking over and held possession nicely, could play with the ball at his feet and was useful going forward also. With his injury ruling him out for the season and proving to be a massive blow for the Addicks, Cullen will likely play a similar role to Forster-Caskey and should be a good replacement for the season. Cullen had Bradford fans raving about him from his loans at Valley Parade, so he looks like a promising signing.
Jamie Ward (Loan) - Ward has found it hard to fit in under Aitor Karanka at Forest and was deemed surplus to requirements by the Spaniard. With the signings of promising Benfica youngster Diego Gonçalves, Lewis Grabban, Hillal Soudani and Gil Dias all pushing Ward down the pecking order, his playtime would have been limited. While Ward is likely nearing the end of his career at 32 years old, Forest fans say he will be a good signing for League One and will always give his all. Ward can play as a wide midfielder and a striker, both positions Charlton are short of options. Ward loves scoring at the Valley for other teams, now let's hope he can continue scoring for us.
Brandon Hanlan, Regan Charles-Cook and Josh Umerah - Young duo Hanlan and Charles-Cook have found playing opportunities hard to come by at Charlton. So, to better their careers they have joined 'local' rivals Gillingham. Both started the new season well with a few assists and goals each. Umerah has spent the last few seasons on loan at Kilmarnock and Wycombe, he will spend this season on loan to National league side Boreham Wood. He has never set the world alight and lived up to his promise, suggesting that he may be running out of time to make an impact on Bowyer and his time in a Charlton shirt could be numbered.
Josh Magennis - Bolton have had interest in Magennis since January. While Magennis' finishing ability wasn't the greatest, circumstances certainly didn't help him last season. Being forced to lead the line and act as Charlton's 20+ goal a season striker when that isn't his role will have damaged his confidence. Magennis isn't a 20+ goal a season striker, he is good with his head and good in the air, he can hold the ball well to bring other players into play. While his time at Charlton wasn't the best and was filled with missed chances and injuries, Bolton have signed a good player if his confidence improves. Maybe a new club is what is needed for Josh.
Ezri Konsa - It was always a likely possibility that Konsa would be sold. However, not many people would have expected it be to Brentford, especially seeing as Premier League sides Everton and Brighton were rumoured to be interested in January. Although good on Ezri for going to a club that suits him and will help him grow. He will get more game time than if he took the leap straight to a Premier League team. However, the sale still reeks of a quick profit for Duchâtelet as he looks to take as much money from the club in his final moments at the club.
Ahmed Kashi - Convincing and Persuading Kashi to stay was always going to prove to be a difficult task. Kashi is easily a Championship quality player and having failed to earn promotion last season and his contract being up this summer, it was unlikely that he was going to sign a contract extension; which he didn't. He will go back to France to play in Ligue 2 with Troyes in what was a major coup for them.
Breakfast, Water and Promised Wage Bonuses - As Duchâtelet looks to cut even more corners and save as many pennies as possible, water and breakfast is no longer available to academy players, lights have to be turned off, and cleaning duties have been cut massively. So much so that workers have had to ask whether they are allowed to eat crisps at their desks. It gets even worse however, as staff are being denied promised wage bonuses. As disastrous as Duchâtelet's ownership has been so far, this is a new low and should be investigated and acted upon by the local authorities, the EFL and the FA.
Elliott Ward, Simon Dawkins and Rohan Ince (Trialists) - Bowyer explored the possibility of free transfers to add depth to his squad. The main areas that needed strengthening were centre back, winger and central midfielder. Bowyer turned to former Blackburn and MK Dons defender Ward as potential centre back cover, Dawkins has spent the last few years in America with the San Jose Earthquakes and looked promising in the pre-season games he played and Ince played one pre-season friendly before Charlton's injury curse injured him too. Out of the three it would have been good to see Dawkins and Ince get deals, but the injury to Ince ruled him out and with a shoestring budget and a tight owner, Dawkins was unlikely to get a deal, seeing as Bowyer could use the loan market to his advantage.
Incomings
Lyle Taylor - With the departure of Josh Magennis and a serious lack of goals and finishing chances that annoyingly impacted the Addicks dramatically last season, Lyle Taylor is exactly what is needed. A clinical striker who has scored 10-20 goals on a consistent basis at League One level, with 14 goals last season.
Darren Pratley - The experienced defensive midfielder has won promotion at this level before with Bolton and has experience of the Leagues above too. From the games played so far, Pratley is a solid defensive midfielder who isn't afraid of a challenge, something that is needed following the departure of Ahmed Kashi.
Krystian Bielik (Loan) - The promising Arsenal youngster has had a previous loan spell at Championship side Birmingham and comes with positive reviews from fans of the midland outfit. He is a versatile central defender that can also play as a central defensive midfielder. Versatility is a useful attribute, especially with the small squad and lack of depth in some positions in Bowyer's team. Bielik now allows Bowyer to experiment with his back line to find the most solid combination and could even experiment with different formations as we could use a back four, or a back five seeing as we have more depth now.
Josh Cullen (Loan) - The young central midfielder from West Ham will likely be a stand in for the injured Jake Forster-Caskey. Forster-Caskey has been one of, if not, the most important part of our team for the last season and a half. He kept the ball ticking over and held possession nicely, could play with the ball at his feet and was useful going forward also. With his injury ruling him out for the season and proving to be a massive blow for the Addicks, Cullen will likely play a similar role to Forster-Caskey and should be a good replacement for the season. Cullen had Bradford fans raving about him from his loans at Valley Parade, so he looks like a promising signing.
Jamie Ward (Loan) - Ward has found it hard to fit in under Aitor Karanka at Forest and was deemed surplus to requirements by the Spaniard. With the signings of promising Benfica youngster Diego Gonçalves, Lewis Grabban, Hillal Soudani and Gil Dias all pushing Ward down the pecking order, his playtime would have been limited. While Ward is likely nearing the end of his career at 32 years old, Forest fans say he will be a good signing for League One and will always give his all. Ward can play as a wide midfielder and a striker, both positions Charlton are short of options. Ward loves scoring at the Valley for other teams, now let's hope he can continue scoring for us.
My Starting 11
Outgoings
Brandon Hanlan, Regan Charles-Cook and Josh Umerah - Young duo Hanlan and Charles-Cook have found playing opportunities hard to come by at Charlton. So, to better their careers they have joined 'local' rivals Gillingham. Both started the new season well with a few assists and goals each. Umerah has spent the last few seasons on loan at Kilmarnock and Wycombe, he will spend this season on loan to National league side Boreham Wood. He has never set the world alight and lived up to his promise, suggesting that he may be running out of time to make an impact on Bowyer and his time in a Charlton shirt could be numbered.
Josh Magennis - Bolton have had interest in Magennis since January. While Magennis' finishing ability wasn't the greatest, circumstances certainly didn't help him last season. Being forced to lead the line and act as Charlton's 20+ goal a season striker when that isn't his role will have damaged his confidence. Magennis isn't a 20+ goal a season striker, he is good with his head and good in the air, he can hold the ball well to bring other players into play. While his time at Charlton wasn't the best and was filled with missed chances and injuries, Bolton have signed a good player if his confidence improves. Maybe a new club is what is needed for Josh.
Ezri Konsa - It was always a likely possibility that Konsa would be sold. However, not many people would have expected it be to Brentford, especially seeing as Premier League sides Everton and Brighton were rumoured to be interested in January. Although good on Ezri for going to a club that suits him and will help him grow. He will get more game time than if he took the leap straight to a Premier League team. However, the sale still reeks of a quick profit for Duchâtelet as he looks to take as much money from the club in his final moments at the club.
Ahmed Kashi - Convincing and Persuading Kashi to stay was always going to prove to be a difficult task. Kashi is easily a Championship quality player and having failed to earn promotion last season and his contract being up this summer, it was unlikely that he was going to sign a contract extension; which he didn't. He will go back to France to play in Ligue 2 with Troyes in what was a major coup for them.
Breakfast, Water and Promised Wage Bonuses - As Duchâtelet looks to cut even more corners and save as many pennies as possible, water and breakfast is no longer available to academy players, lights have to be turned off, and cleaning duties have been cut massively. So much so that workers have had to ask whether they are allowed to eat crisps at their desks. It gets even worse however, as staff are being denied promised wage bonuses. As disastrous as Duchâtelet's ownership has been so far, this is a new low and should be investigated and acted upon by the local authorities, the EFL and the FA.
Notable Links
Elliott Ward, Simon Dawkins and Rohan Ince (Trialists) - Bowyer explored the possibility of free transfers to add depth to his squad. The main areas that needed strengthening were centre back, winger and central midfielder. Bowyer turned to former Blackburn and MK Dons defender Ward as potential centre back cover, Dawkins has spent the last few years in America with the San Jose Earthquakes and looked promising in the pre-season games he played and Ince played one pre-season friendly before Charlton's injury curse injured him too. Out of the three it would have been good to see Dawkins and Ince get deals, but the injury to Ince ruled him out and with a shoestring budget and a tight owner, Dawkins was unlikely to get a deal, seeing as Bowyer could use the loan market to his advantage.
General Thoughts and Predictions
With their hands tied, Bowyer and Gallen have done extremely well to have bought in quality players that improve the team, albeit on loan deals and frees. Taylor and Pratley have hit the ground running with Taylor scoring 2 goals so far and Pratley enforcing the midfield. Bielik and Cullen are both promising young players who have played at this level and higher and would be a good signing for many Championship sides. While Steer and Ward have proved they can play in the Championship and are more good additions for a League One side.
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