Charlton Athletic are set for a strong end to the season under Nathan Jones and have already begun looking at potential recruits ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.
Prior to Jones taking the job, the Addicks had been on a 14-game winless streak which extended to 18 matches following his first four fixtures in the dugout. However, three consecutive draws against Lincoln City, Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth were a sign of what was to come under the former Southampton boss.
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— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 7, 2024
Having suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Reading in his first game in charge of the southeast London club, Charlton Athletic are now unbeaten in 11 matches since then and have the chance of finishing in the top half of the League One table despite being just outside the relegation zone when Jones was named as Michael Appleton’s permanent successor.
Furthermore, the Addicks have highly winnable fixtures in their final four matches of the campaign, including a game against Wigan Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday afternoon, followed by clashes with Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, and Wycombe Wanderers.
Sitting ten points clear of the drop zone with four matches remaining, Charlton are all but mathematically safe this season, meaning the recruitment department can look towards the summer transfer window to bring new faces to the club.
One player who has been linked with a move to The Valley is Loughgall’s 21-year-old sensation Benji Magee. The Northern Irish centre-forward has had a tremendous season for the NIFL Premiership outfit, bagging 17 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions. Additionally, he currently boasts a market value of £150,000, as per Transfermarkt.
Nevertheless, with clubs such as Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United also in the running for his signature, EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has tipped Magee to move to Wales over the coming months in search of first-team football.
“Benji has starred at his club Loughgall, he’s very exciting,” the former Sheffield Wednesday man said.
“He’s now been called up to the Northern Ireland U21s, so now several clubs like Wrexham, Bolton, Charlton, and Oxford are all looking to scramble for his signature.
“It’s believed that Wrexham, who could be a League One side next season, are very keen on signing the 21-year-old.
“This would be an exciting challenge for him, he’s playing regularly, he’s playing well,” Palmer continued.
“He will want to move to a club that can guarantee him first-team football.
“Wrexham, as we know, have very good owners who are backing the club, so I think Wrexham, should they get promoted, would be in a very, very good position to get his signature.”
Writer’s View
There is some merit in Palmer saying that Magee may want to move to Wrexham as he has a better chance of receiving regular game-time at The Racecourse Ground than at Charlton Athletic. However, it’s also difficult to see him displacing Paul Mullin in the team.
Heading to the Addicks under the guidance of Jones could be a great move for Magee but it will be interesting to see how he adapts to life in England’s third tier as it’s hard to know how the NIFL Premiership translates to English football.
