Charlton Athletic - Pre-Season Begins, Transfer News
After a crazy couple of weeks football finally returns. I won't say much about the rumours that surrounded our club in between Euro 2012 and yesterday's match at Welling, mostly because I don't know what has been going on behind the scenes, but hopefully everything has now been sorted. Two transfers, and confirmation from Chris Powell of two or three more signings will hopefully put to bed the rumours of "cash flow problems" at board level.
John Sullivan could be going out on loan. I'm a bit disappointed for John, he did well deputising for Rob Elliot but never really got the chance to kick on with the arrival of Hamer.
The first of our two transfers was the attack minded Jordan Cook from Sunderland. He failed to make the desired impression at Premiership level and Sunderland have decided to let him ply his trade at a lower level. He hasn't set the world alight when he has played, but a number of players fail to make it at their first club before making a career for themselves. In this highlight video of the Chelsea/Sunderland reserve match at the start of last season Jordan, wearing the number 7, makes a good run, setting up the first goal, you can see this at around the two minute mark.
Our second transfer was former youth player Lawrie Wilson. Signed to push Chris Solly, Wilson is initially viewed as a right back by Chris Powell, although he may be used on the wing in the absence of Wagstaff and Green. At the end of last season there were rumours that Scott Wagstaff was frustrated at his lack of playing time and Burnley were sniffing around, but so far nothing has come of that.
Yesterday saw Charlton pick up their first win of this campaign, with many more to follow, 4-0 at Welling. I was unable to make it to the game but I'm sure it was a good atmosphere and the Welling game is always a nice curtain raiser for the season.
The most interesting name on the teamsheet, for me, was Jacobo Sanz Ovejero. The 29 year old, 6 foot 5 shot stopper is a free agent after leaving Superleague Greece outfit Asteras Tripoli. Jacobo has featured at the top level of Spanish and Greek football during his career, and when he left Asteras at the end of last season he was rumoured to be joining Everton. He will be joining the Charlton squad in Spain and, if John Sullivan is to move on, could become our next signing.
Rumours persist about Sam Baldock moving to The Valley, and although he may be a good signing, his wages could pose a problem. There was also talk of Conor Henderson making a season long trip South of the river from Arsenal. He is yet to appear in the league for Arsenal but made his cup debut against Leyton Orient in the 2010/2011 season. A cruciate knee ligament injury in pre-season derailed his season last year, only returning for a friendly against reading in March 2012, a full year after his cup debut. Arsene Wenger has described him as a future first team player at Emirates, and he has made one U21 level appearance for Ireland.
Next up for the Addicks are Sporting Lisbon and Real Betis over on the Iberian peninsula. Hopefully the team can bring back the sunshine, and a couple of wins, with them, as I'm not sure I can take much more of this rain!
