Charlton Athletic joined Birmingham City and Wrexham in winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the Sky Bet League One play-off final. Here’s who could increase. How should the Addicks go about their recruitment this summer in order to avoid the drop next season? Could we see these names popping up in the latest Charlton transfer news?
GK – Joe Whitworth (Exeter City on loan from Crystal Palace)
Whitworth has had a fantastic season on loan at Exeter City, keeping 15 clean sheets in all competitions and helping his side avoid a relegation fight.
Whitworth is under contract at Palace until 2027 so this would most likely be a loan move for the 21-year-old but one which is sensible for both parties as Palace will want to further his development with a Championship loan.
Whitworth’s metrics in League One this season point towards him being a well-rounded modern-day goalkeeper,
He acted as a sweeper 52 times across the 24/25 season and has a 67.7% pass success rate (Data from FOTMOB). He even managed to register an assist for the Grecians.
If Charlton were to stay up, there would be the potential of making the move permanent, but with Whitworth having such a high ceiling there is every chance if he bodes well at Championship level he may be given a chance in Palace’s first team.
GK – Christian Walton (Ipswich Town)
This would represent a calculated gamble, as Walton has not played many minutes over the past couple of seasons at Ipswich, but he has worked under Nathan Jones before.
He was instrumental to the Tractor Boys’ promotion to the Championship in the 22/23 season – keeping 22 clean sheets with a save percentage of 71.4% and preventing just under five goals across the board (FOTMOB).
He would also fit the profile of a modern-day goalkeeper –he had a pass accuracy of 68.6% and a long ball success rate of just under 40%.
Walton is 29 and is entering the prime years as a goalkeeper so needs a move away from Portman Road in order to pursue a spot as number one. As he is under contract at Ipswich for another year – this move would require a fee. But with Ipswich looking to bounce back to the Premier League, they won’t be demanding a substantial figure.
CB – Paudie O’Connor (Lincoln City OOC)
Lincoln City’s star man who has been rumoured with a move away from Sincil Bank for some time, is now out of contract with the Imps.
You would anticipate that no matter the offer that O’Connor receives, he will be turning it down in order to pursue a move to a Championship club.
The 27-year-old was top of the table for interceptions per 90 in League One last season and registered 86 interceptions over the course of the 39 games he played.
He also made 109 recoveries and won 280 aerial duels, even chipping in with four assists. He has already been rumoured with sides at the top end of League One such as Huddersfield Town, but I believe he is good enough to make the step up to the Championship.
Charlton have Lloyd Jones who has been phenomenal for them as they returned to the second tier, but they need depth in defence to bridge the gap between the two divisions and sometimes the best way to do so is to pluck the best players from the League below.
For more on Paudie and other Lincoln players… click here
CB – Tom Lockyer (Free Agent)
Lockyer has been released by Luton Town after their back-to-back relegations and has had difficulty finding minutes for the Hatters.
That said, he is an unbelievable leader and someone who Nathan Jones has worked with before – he is also ex-Charlton.
He is based in and around London, so the geography of this move works as well.
CM – Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln City)
A very ambitious shout for Charlton as Erhahon is hot property and will have multiple suitors – but he is a fantastic option for any Championship club looking to strengthen their midfield.
He’s only 24 too, so has a high ceiling and resale value for the future, I anticipate that this will lead to a side further up the second tier taking a punt on the Scotsman.
He has an excellent passing range with composure and vision meaning he can pick killer passes even under pressure.
His work rate is fantastic too and in the 23/24 season he had the most ball recoveries in the league (316).
Would be a great fit for Charlton but will take a substantial bid, as Lincoln have reportedly already turned down a figure of £600,000 for the Scotsman.
ST – Lucas Joao (Umraniyespor)
Now 31, Joao was once highly regarded during his time in England with Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.
He has been playing in Turkey, and whilst he hasn’t set the world alight abroad, he has Championship experience and could benefit from a move back to a familiar division.
He has 71 Championship goals to his name, most noticeably enjoying a 22-goal season with Reading in 2020/21. Joao could definitely be a shrewd addition for The Addicks.
ST – Donnell McNeilly (Chelsea)
McNeilly is reportedly out of contract with Chelsea this summer, so may look at permanent options for first-team football.
He scored 12 goals in PL2 last season and won the golden boot award for the competition, so they may also offer him a deal and look to loan him out.
Permanent or on loan, McNeilly is clearly a goal-scorer and although this represents a gamble – he could be a real asset for a team in the lower half of the Championship.
Do you agree with these picks? Would you choose somebody different? Let us know in the comments!
Some rogue shouts here and some players who would be either unrealistic or not worth us getting.