The uncertainty over the ownership of the club is delaying the recruitment of players for next season. With the transfer window now open, the early birds can snap up some good talent.
Charlton’s head of recruitment – Steve Gallen – will have a list of players he believes can help fire the Addicks to promotion next season. But nothing can be done until the ownership issue is settled, and a permanent manager is appointed.
The main area that needs addressing is the front line. The Addicks have been short of both options and goals this campaign.
Most managers deploy a traditional 4-4-2 formation in League One, and favour a nippy goalscorer playing alongside a muscular target man. If the target man can weigh in with goals too, a club is in business.
Karl Robinson was keen to bring AFC Wimbledon’s Lyle Taylor to The Valley in January. Greenwich born Taylor played 52 games for the Wombles this season, scoring 18 goals.
The 28-year-old went 15 games at the start of the campaign without scoring, but then had a goal in every two games ratio.
Taylor is keen to try his luck in the Championship, but could be persuaded to join a League One side, if they had a genuine chance of promotion.
In his three years at Kingsmeadow, Taylor has scored 55 goals in 150 appearances in all competitions.
Charlton would be likely to face competition from Oxford for Taylor’s signature.
A similar player to Taylor is Gillingham’s Tom Eaves.
Liverpool born Eaves made 34 league starts for the Gills this season, and made a further 7 appearances from the bench. The former Yeovil man netted 17 times in a good first season at the Priestfield.
Coventry’s livewire striker, Marc McNulty, scored in both legs of the play-off semi-final against Notts County.
The 25-year-old Scot has made 51 appearances for the Sky Blues this season, scoring 28 goals.
Another player thought to be on Robinson’s radar in January was Walsall’s Erhun Oztumer.
More of an attacking midfielder, 26-year-old Oztumer has netted an impressive 30 league goals in 75 starts and 11 substitute appearances for the Saddlers.
The diminutive Oztumer is a former Addicks trainee, and scored Walsall’s goal at The Valley in January.
These four players all performed well this season, and would be real assets to a promotion chasing club.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic