Charlton Athletic has had a successful summer transfer window thus far, but their most crucial task will be to retain their finest players coming season. The Addicks are looking to re-establish themselves in the Championship after a five-year absence.
They are unbeaten after three games, including a draw against Bristol City, who just defeated Sheffield United 4-1.
Nathan Jones recently stated that the club’s transfer work, which has included signing Reading’s Harvey Knibbs and Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Kelman, is nearly complete, with only one area where the Addicks may improve in particular.
However, while acquisitions will give the Charlton Athletic boss peace of mind knowing that backups are available, they are not crucial. Ensuring that key players aren’t sold this season will be more vital for the South London club in their effort to return to the second division – and there are two in particular who will need to stay.
Rob Apter is flourishing as Charlton’s Thierry Small replacement, but Japan international would be a good addition.
According to EFL Analysis football correspondent Graeme Bailey, Charlton are still ‘looking’ at Shinnosuke Fukuda, a J1 League right wing back.
The Addicks reportedly had a proposal for the 24-year-old turned down earlier this summer after proposing a loan with a buy option. Kyoto Sanga, the star’s current club, wants a permanent transfer this summer, as his contract expires in January.
Bailey understands that there will be little movement this window unless Kyoto changes their minds; else, Charlton may return in January when he is free.
Thierry Small, the Addicks’ former right wing-back, left for Preston North End for nothing in the summer despite having contract offers as his deal expired. Jones and co. have signed Blackpool’s Rob Apter to play in his place, while Kayne Ramsay can also be employed.
Apter, who signed at The Valley for an estimated £2 million in July, has already wowed Charlton fans with a number of dangerous crosses against Watford and Bristol City.
If the two previously mentioned players are injured, 19-year-old Henry Rylah is a viable possibility, and he showed promise against Dartford in preseason. However, the South London club could do with strengthening that position to alleviate the burden.
Fukuda has captained his team on several occasions and scored four goals in 19 games this season. According to reports, he wants to play in Europe so he may represent Japan in the forthcoming 2026 World Cup.
Kayne Ramsay deserves a new contract; former Southampton player is a class above
One disadvantage of starting the season when the transfer window is still open is having to filter out the possibility of your great players being signed before deadline day.
That is certainly the case with Charlton’s Kayne Ramsay – but don’t worry, Addicks fans; there is no reason to be concerned about competitors sniffing around. There is a reason why fans are perplexed that they discovered such a gem of a player in League Two Harrogate Town, however.
Ramsay may play on the right side of a back three, as right back, or as a right wing back. He will put his body on the line, as evidenced by his outstanding double-block against Wycombe Wanderers in the League One semi-final second leg, and he can progress up the wing to fuel Charlton’s attack. He makes gaining the ball back from opponents sprinting down the wing appear simple.
Last season, the 24-year-old helped Charlton keep 26 clean sheets in all competitions. Needless to say, Jones will need to keep him if they want to establish themselves in the Championship, and his contract may need to be extended beyond 2027 sooner rather than later.
The Valley faithful will recall losing starter Anfernee Dijksteel to Middlesbrough after the season began in 2019/20, albeit under the dubious ownership of Roland Duchatelet.
Nathan Jones’s former Luton player Lloyd Jones has grown under him, and Charlton must prioritise him
All of Charlton’s backline from last year has adjusted well to the Championship, including Josh Edwards, who arrived from Dunfermline for an estimated £2 million last summer. The Scotsman is the Addicks’ best left back in years, and he has signed a four-year contract.
Centre-back Lloyd Jones briefly played under his namesake at Luton Town and has improved even more since his former manager arrived at The Valley, a trend that the Welshman will undoubtedly aim to continue with new defenders Reece Burke and Amari’i Bell, who joined from Kenilworth Road this summer.
Jones, 29, wore the captain’s armband on occasion last season in the absence of Greg Docherty, and the centre-back assisted Matty Godden’s winner in the 1-0 play-off semi-final triumph against Wycombe in May. In addition, he scored three goals throughout the season.
The former Liverpool junior player joined Charlton from Cambridge in 2023 on a two-year contract and signed a fresh two-and-a-half-year contract extension in January, committing to the club until the summer of 2027.
This followed allegations that then-League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers had made a failed deal for the defender.
At the time, his manager, Jones, stated, “Anyone who wants to come in for Lloyd Jones, he’s a treasured asset for us. Contract negotiations are still ongoing. He’s another one who has found a home. I signed him for Luton and worked with him when he was much younger than he is today.”
It won’t take long for Charlton’s opponents to grasp how outstanding a centre-back and leader the former Luton player is. However, based on recent history, Jones and his team will try everything possible to keep him.
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