There's only one Lloyd Jones

Richard Cawley reports that Lloyd Jones leads the Championship for the most defensive clearances this season (374) and aerial defence work (222).   He made 22 defensive interventions against the Blues yesterday.

Worrying news from Cawley that Addicks striker starlet Micah Mbick was stretchered off at Colchester's game at Newport yesterday and taken to hospital.

Upset U's supremo Danny Cowley told the Football League Paper: 'It looks a really bad one unfortunately.   It's a horrendous tackle and I'm sick and tired of officials.   He didn't even give a foul.  It was so clear - the fourth official was there and he saw it all, that it was excessive force.'

On a happier note, congratulations to former Charlton director Lord Michael Grade of Yarmouth (isle of Wight) on his 83rd birthday today.   Seeing him heading rather modestly towards the directors' entrance at Anfield at one game, I almost shouted a greeting.

He has been described as an 'admirably steadfast' Addick and in 2024 appeared on a podcast interview entitled 'Football Ruined My Life'.

Jonathan Grade is a Charlton supporter active on X.

There may be something in Kenyan player story

I was sceptcal yesterday, but it appears there may be something in stories suggesting that Charlton are on the verge of signing their first Kenyan player.

There have been reports that Charlton have agreed a deal with Serbian side Vojvodina for Kenyan centre-back Collins Sichenje.  That includes claims that he has passed a medical and will cost in the region of £2 million.

Last week Jones told Richard Cawley that a link to Junior Ligue, who moved this week from FC Zurich to Venezia, was wide of the mark.*  He was more guarded on Sichenje, only responding: “Anything happens on that we’ll let you know as soon as we can.”

The Kenyan defender has spoken about the move to The Star, a publication in his home country: “I want to challenge myself in the Championship. It’s a demanding league, and I believe I can make an impact here."

Cawley  has heard that Brighton are still trying to get a deal for Micah Mbick over the line.

 “That is between Brighton and the football club,” said Jones, when asked if the Premier League club were pushing for an agreement. “What it means is that our development structure for Micah Mbick and our progression for him has been excellent - because a top Premier League club is trying to buy our players. That is what we want to do.

“If we’d kept Micah here and played him in the U21s and used him sporadically, would we have been able to do that? There is the proof in the pudding of what we do - how we’re building a football club and assets. How we’re developing assets and keeping this football club moving forward.

In his interview with Cawley;s website Jones has denied falling out with Rob Apter or other signings. Well he would, wouldn't he?  

*I still think theee was at least some Charlton interest in Logue.  German language sites aren't going to run stories about Charlton, a club that perhaps twenty or thirty people in the German-speaking countries know about,

Rumoured increase in Brighton offer for Mbick

A report is claiming that Brighton are now prepared to offer £5m for Micah Mbick, but I would be cautious about its reliability: https://www.sportsboom.co.uk/football/transfer-news/exclusive-brighton-have-opened-up-a-5million-to-try-and-sign-charltons-micah-mbick

It is possible that Brighton might be willing to make a third offer, but the devil is in the detail.  How much would be up front?  How much would be conditional on first team appearances?   How much would be a share of any selling on fee?

For now the club is right to hold on to this promising player.

Seagulls swoop for Mbick

According to The Athletic Brighton have made an offer worth a total of £3.5m for 19-year old Addicks striker Micah Mbick.

He is on loan to Colchester United and Charlton's intention is that he should stay there for the rest of the season.

Brighton like to buy promising young players either to develop them for their own first team or to sell them on.

The Seagulls may make an enhanced offer.