Charlton Athletic ponder move for 24-year-old former Coventry City youth

Charlton Atheltic are considering a move for 24-year-old striker Courtney Baker-Richardson, as reported by Vital Charlton Athletic. 

The Addicks have had a tough summer, with manager Lee Bowyer recently launching into a rant against the EFL for the lack of transfer opportunities the club have. They have added two players to their ranks, Alex Gilbey and Conor Washington, but are now looking at the former Swansea striker who is on trial at the Valley.

Baker-Richardson started out as a trainee with Coventry City, but failed to make the gade there and wound up at Leamington after spells with Romulus, Nuneaton Town, Redditch and Kettering Town. He impressed for the Southern League Premier outfit, earning a trial at Swansea City, which resulted in a deal.

He played 17 times for the Swans, bagging three goals, but didn’t cement himself as a first-team player. He was released by Swansea at the end of his contract this summer, having spent time out on loan with Accrington Stanley in League One during the season.

Baker-Richardson was named as a sub as the Addicks lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace in yesterday’s pre-season friendly, coming on after an hour and having one effort which he fired over.

The Addicks were relegated back into League One after a single season in the second-tier and, despite their ongoing ownership issues, will be expecting to challenge for promotion once again this season.

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Our View

It’s been a tough summer for Charlton fans, but there is cause for optimism on the field. Much of their Championship quality squad have remained with the club, and the likes of Gilbey and Washington should be decent at this level.

The same goes for Baker-Richardson, although his spell at Accrington doesn’t suggest so. He would be a good squad player in League One, but whether he has what it takes to progress to serious first-team striker is another question. he is a good age though and he’s proven his attitude is good. It takes character to drop into the non-league scene and still believe in yourself, then to go on and prove your worth with a bigger club.