Addicks expected to add one more before deadline day - with Gomez and Lookman the subject of transfer talk
The latest review of the week - a round-up of Charlton Athletic news
It’s time for the review of the week.
Probably not one that will live long in the memory after two losses for Charlton Athletic, who bowed out of the EFL Cup at the second round stage as well as suffering a second successive Championship defeat, this time at the hands of QPR.
TRANSFER WINDOW EXCITEMENT
Sunday was the day before transfer deadline and everything was quiet…at least in terms of players being linked with Charlton Athletic.
The indications are that the Addicks will definitely make one more signing before today’s 7pm deadline.
Manager Nathan Jones confirmed to South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition on Thursday that adding to his wing-back options was the priority.
The Welshman told the assembled media after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at QPR that the Addicks are likely to only do one incoming deal. That would make it 10 signings in this transfer window.
There could be other former Charlton players involved in deadline moves - with Joe Gomez’s future of particular interest.
Joe Gomez was a highly-touted teenager when he left Charlton for Liverpool in the summer of 2015
Picture: Keith Gillard
The Addicks have previously indicated they retain a sell-on for the England-capped centre-back, who is being linked with a permanent transfer to AC Milan.
Gomez, 18, was sold to Liverpool in June 2015 for £3.5million.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed an official bid has been made by the Serie A club and that Gomez will be allowed to leave if the Reds are successful in landing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Gomez was on the bench for Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday. Gomez came on in the 79th minute after Ibrahima Konate went off with an injury.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Bayern Munich have made an approach to sign Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on loan with what he describes as including an “option to buy at a significant price”.
The ex-Charlton winger has already stated his desire to quit Atalanta.
APTER GOAL BUT NO POINTS COLLECTED AT LOFTUS ROAD
Charlton Athletic’s last action before the international break saw them lose 3-1 at QPR on Saturday.
Despite podcast hosting supremo Louis Mendez missing the derby at Loftus Road due to injury, he still managed to watch the match AND ensure we did our normal post-match verdict. It can be found here.
Five talking points from the Addicks’ reverse in west London.
Rob Apter’s goal early in the second half had cancelled out Paul Smyth’s opener.
But Koki Saito struck in the latter stages before Richard Kone ended any lingering doubts about the outcome after going clean through on Thomas Kaminski’s goal in the seventh additional minute.
Manager Nathan Jones told Charlton’s official website: “We didn’t start well, but we fought back.
“There were moments when we showed some good play, and we can take that into the next game. However, we need to learn from this and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.
“We’ll use this break wisely. Luke Berry and Matty Godden will be closer to coming back and Reece Burke, and ensure everyone gets valuable training time. We’ll also work on improving certain aspects of our play as we prepare for a crucial match after the break.”
CUP FLAW
Tuesday evening saw Charlton Athletic bow out of the EFL Cup.
The reward for victors Cambridge United was a trip to the biggest club in west London - Fulham. Now for anyone that doesn’t know (there can’t be that many that don’t), I am a long-suffering supporter of the Whites.
So not only did the Addicks’ fail to progress to the third round but it also deprived me of a visit to Craven Cottage.
Charlton’s recent record in this competition is by no means stellar. In the past 11 seasons they have only progressed beyond the second round twice.
Cambridge’s record is even worse. The 3-1 win over the Addicks, with manager Nathan Jones making 11 changes from the side which lost 1-0 to Leicester, means United reached the third round for the first time since 1998.
Jones’ reaction to the defeat is here. For our talking points from the game, click here.
Cambridge left-back Zak Bradshaw scored Cambridge United’s third goal and also provided the assist for Kylian Kouassi, who showed strength to brush aside Zach Mitchell to make it 2-0.
But Bradshaw admitted to local radio afterwards that it was a fortuitous pass. He said: “To be fair I’m not going to be claiming it! I went to go to Ben Knight.”
Cambridge head coach Neil Harris was left annoyed by Ibby Fullah’s strike for the Addicks, the second goal the young midfielder has scored in the competition this season.
“The one negative is that we conceded a goal just before half-time which is criminal from our perspective,” said Harris.
"I told the players that it’s my job as a moaning old git to keep on at them and keep driving it. We have to cut that out because there's still not the consistency that I demand.”
So that is it for cup competitions for Charlton until the start of 2026. Nobody is going to miss not competing in the EFL Trophy.
The fixtures for the third round of the FA Cup start the week commencing January 10.
ADDICKS PAY RESPECTS TO THOMPSON
Former Charlton Athletic centre-back Steve Thompson has passed away at the age of 70.
“Steve made 112 appearances for the Addicks and played an important part in our 1985-86 promotion-winning side, taking Charlton back to the top tier for the first time in 29 years,” said the Addicks in a statement on their website.
“Brought to Charlton in 1985 by Lennie Lawrence from Lincoln City, where the pair had worked together previously, Steve arrived with some doubting his ability to adapt to the level of football.
“He quickly proved those doubts unfounded, leading the team to promotion and also featuring in the club’s trip to Wembley for the Full Members’ Cup final in 1987.”
Thompson, born in Sheffield, was sold to Leicester City for £40,000 in July 1988. He is survived by his partner Julie, as well as sons Alex and Jack.
NEW FORWARD OPTION
Charlton Athletic Women have added Amalie Thestrup to their striking department.
The 30-year-old, capped four times by Denmark, has signed for the WSL2 side after her contract expired at Bristol City.
Thestrup has also represented Liverpool, PSV and Roma - with two domestic title triumphs with Brondby.
She has spent her last two seasons at Super League level on the books of West Ham United and then City.
Thestrup told Charlton’s official website: “I’m very excited to get working with Karen (Hills, manager), the staff and the team. It seems like a really exciting group.
“I’ve been incredibly excited since having that initial conversation with Karen, I can’t wait to get to work and get the season underway.
“From the get-go, I felt that Charlton was the right next step for me. The style of football that we would like to play suits me very well and vice versa. It was a great match from day one.”
The Addicks start their league season next weekend with a home fixture on September 7 against Crystal Palace. Tickets can be bought here.
Picture: Keith Gillard
BLADES TICKETS ON SALE
Charlton Athletic have received an initial allocation of 2,403 tickets for the Championship fixture at Sheffield United on September 20.
Tickets are priced £25 (adult), over-60s (£20), U22 (£15), student (£15) and U18s (£10) and can be purchased here.
The Addicks’ last trip to Sheffield United was in March 2017. Ricky Holmes put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes but Jack O’Connell quickly levelled before an early second-half goal from Daniel Lafferty.
Charlton’s last victory at Bramall Lane came on October 1, 2011. Yann Kermorgant and Bradley Wright-Phillips struck twice in the space of two minutes, shortly after the hour mark, to clinch a 2-0 win.
Sheffield United have started the season poorly, losing their opening four matches, and have tried to boost their prospects by spending last week - signing Millwall centre-back Japhet Tanganga, experienced striker Danny Ings, who had been released by West Ham this summer, and Luton Town’s midfielder Tahith Chong.