Charlton Athletic have had an impressive summer transfer window so far, but their most important business will be keeping hold of their best players this season.
The Addicks are aiming to re-establish themselves in the Championship after five years away. They remain unbeaten after their opening three fixtures, even managing a draw at Bristol City who recently conducted a 4-1 demolition of Sheffield United.
Nathan Jones recently suggested the club’s transfer business – which has included signing Reading’s Harvey Knibbs and Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Kelman – is almost done, and there is now just one area the Addicks could do with strengthening in particular.
But while additions will allow the Charlton Athletic manager to rest easy knowing back-ups are available, they are not so essential. Ensuring key stars aren’t sold this season will be more vital for the South London club in their bid to make the second tier home again – and there are two in particular who will need to stay.
Rob Apter is shining as Charlton’s Thierry Small replacement, but Japan international would be a smart addition
EFL Analysis’ football correspondent Graeme Bailey says Charlton are still ‘looking’ at J1 League right wing back, Shinnosuke Fukuda. The Addicks reportedly had a bid rejected for the 24-year-old earlier this summer after they proposed a loan deal with an option to buy.
The star’s current club Kyoto Sanga want a permanent transfer this summer, with his contract set to expire in January. Bailey understands little movement will happen this window unless Kyoto change their minds, otherwise Charlton may come back in January when he’s free.
The Addicks’ former right wing-back Thierry Small left for Preston North End for nothing in the summer despite receiving contract offers as his deal ran down. Jones and co. recruited Blackpool’s Rob Apter to play in his position and Kayne Ramsay can also be deployed there.
Apter, who arrived at The Valley for a reported fee of £2million in July, has impressed Charlton fans already, sending a number of deadly crosses in against Watford and Bristol City.
19-year-old Henry Rylah is an option should the two previously mentioned players get injured, and he had a promising performance against Dartford in pre-season. However, the South London club could do with bolstering that position to take the pressure off.
Fukuda has captained his side on occasions and scored four goals in 19 appearances this season. Reports suggest he is keen to play in Europe in order to play for Japan at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Kayne Ramsay needs a new deal, former Southampton player is a class above
One drawback of the season starting while the transfer window is still open is trying to block out the potential threat of your shining stars being nabbed before deadline day.
That is very much the case when it comes to Charlton’s Kayne Ramsay – but don’t panic Addicks, there is nothing to suggest fans need to be worried about rivals sniffing around. There is a reason why fans are baffled they unearthed such a gem of a player at League Two Harrogate Town, though.
Ramsay can play at the right of a back three, at right back and at right wing back. He will put his body on the line, as seen by his excellent double-block to stop Wycombe Wanderers in the League One semi-final second leg, and he also has the ability to advance up the flank to feed Charlton’s attack. He makes winning the ball back from opponents charging down the wing look easy.
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The 24-year-old played a large part in Charlton’s 26 clean sheets in all competitions last season. Needless to say it will be key for Jones to keep hold of him if they want to establish themselves in the Championship and they may need to extend his deal beyond 2027 sooner rather than later.
The Valley faithful will remember losing starter Anfernee Dijksteel to Middlesbrough after the season started in 2019/20, although this was under the controversial ownership of Roland Duchatelet.
Nathan Jones’s former Luton player Lloyd Jones has blossomed under him, Charlton must prioritise him
All of Charlton’s back line from last year have fit right in in the Championship, including Josh Edwards who joined from Dunfermline last summer for a reported £2million. The Scotsman is the best left back the Addicks have boasted in years and is tied down after signing a four-year deal.
Centre-back Lloyd Jones briefly played under his namesake at Luton Town and has become even better since his former manager’s arrival at The Valley – a trend that the Welshman will no doubt hope to see again with new defenders Reece Burke and Amari’i Bell who came from Kenilworth Road this summer.
29-year-old Jones wore the armband on occasions last term in skipper Greg Docherty’s absence, and the centre-back got the assist for Matty Godden’s winner in the 1-0 play-off semi final victory against Wycombe in May. He scored three goals throughout the season too.
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The former Liverpool youth player joined Charlton from Cambridge in 2023 on a two year deal and signed a new two-and-a-half year contract extension in January, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2027.
This was after reports of then-League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers making a failed bid for the defender.
At the time, his manager Jones said: “Anyone who wants to come in for Lloyd Jones, he’s a prized asset for us. We’re ongoing in terms of contract talks. He’s another one that has actually found a home. I signed him for Luton and working with him, he was a lot younger than he is now.”
It won’t take long for Charlton’s rivals to realise how good of a centre-back and leader the ex-Luton defender is. But if recent history is anything to go off, Jones and co will do their best to keep him
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