Wigan Athletic striker Charlie Kelman is hoping for a call-up from the United States national team at the 2024 Olympics following some strong recent form in League One.
The 22-year-old has scored three goals in just four starts since joining Wigan on loan from Queens Park Rangers in the January transfer window. Two of Kelman’s goals for the Greater Manchester outfit came in a 2-2 draw at Charlton on Saturday, as the striker notched a four-minute brace to help his side earn a point.
It was Kelman’s second start in Wigan’s last seven matches. The former Gillingham player has struggled for consistent game time at the DW Stadium in the second half of the season, with seven of his 11 appearances coming from the bench.
Despite the lack of regular starts under Shaun Maloney, Kelman believes he has shown enough quality to earn a place in the US squad for the 2024 Olympics. The 22-year-old qualifies for a US call-up due to his father’s long-held citizenship in the county.
Kelman also spent several childhood years in the US, also featuring for FC Dallas’s youth sides before moving back to the United Kingdom. Upon his return, the striker featured for Southend United and made his senior debut in November 2018 during an EFL Cup match against Southampton’s under-23 side, according to Transfermarkt.
However, Kelman has experience with the US national team seetup – featuring at under-18s and under-20s level. When speaking to Wigan Today about his chances of earning a place amongst the US squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kelman backed himself to secure place if he can produce during the closing stages of the League One season.
“There’s a lot of very, very good players that are my age, but I’d like to think that I’m up there (in contention for a call-up).
“I’ve shown that against Charlton. Hopefully for the next three games I can keep scoring goals, and then you never know where that can take you.
“Obviously I’ve got one eye on it, so hopefully I can nick a late call up!”
Writer’s View
Kelman will hope for a consistent run of games in Wigna’s starting lineup to try and prove himself as a US national team contender for the Olympics. In addition, his previous experience with the nation at youth level could work in his favour this summer.
The Latics are 13th in League One and have ultimately secured a mid-table finishing position for the 2023/24 campaign. With just three fixtures left of the season, Maloney may well provide Kelman with more opportunities to shine for his Olympic spot, especially after his goalscoring exploits at the Valley last time out.
