Nkeng could be signing No.10

Richard Cawley reports: 'Charlton Athletic are closing in on a deal for exciting AFC Wimbledon winger Junior Nkeng.

The former Tottenham youngster, who only turned 19 earlier this month, is set to become the Addicks’ 10th signing of the summer transfer window.

Nkeng has not featured heavily for the Dons in the current campaign due to speculation over his future.  Nottingham Forest and Lecce are believed to have weighed up moves for the teenager, who was thought to be available for less than seven figures.

One source told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition: “He is basically Tyreece Campbell Mk II - pacey, direct and fearless.”

The Addicks have switched their focus when it comes to strengthening the flanks after they pulled out of a permanent transfer for Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.'

Career details for the wing back/winger who was born in Barcelona: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Nkeng

Charlton's profile improves

Charlton's profile continues to improve.   Not only is the New York Times suddenly taking the club seriously as a promising soccer franchise, but the BBC is now inviting a fan to write about the club's week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy4z8k8pdyvo

One word of caution.  Any American financier looking for a soccer franchise will soon realise that the club does not own the capital assets of the stadium and the training ground.  All they will get is membership of the EFL, along with an assorted group of players and rather grumpy fans.

As football finance guru Kieran Maguire has pointed out, not only does the club face these challenges along with big operating losses, it is also located in an unfashionable part of London (although suddenly my old haunt of Plumstead Common seems to be going up in the world).

Jones hails arrival of Kiwi international

Smiling supremo Nathan Jones has hailed the ninth signing of the window, New Zealand international Tyler Bindon from Nottingham Forest.  He took part in all three of New Zealand's world cup games.  A right footer, he can play at right back as well as centre back.

“We have done very well to get him,” Nathan Jones told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition. “He improves the squad significantly. He is probably somebody we couldn’t have afforded to buy.  He has really good experience. He is a player I’ve known from when he was at Reading. He’s an international and did well at Sheffield United in the second half of last season.”

“I’ve known him for a long, long time. He is someone I like and admire. When we had the opportunity to speak to him and he agreed on Thursday night, we’re really delighted to be able to do that.

“He is very composed and assured in everything he does, in and out of possession. He is not crash-bang. Technically he is very good and wins his duels. He has an air about him, he is someone that we feel really adds to us.”

Charlton go top

Charlton went top of the Championship after a 1-0 win over Preston North End, Karlan Grant scoring after 56 minutes.

It was the prodigal's first goal since returning and it came in front of the Covered End.

They are the only team with a 100 per cent record, Millwall losing 5-1 at Southampton.

It was a clean sheet for Arthur Okonkwo. The home side took the lead after the break when Karlan Grant finished tidily after making a yard for himself in the area.

Preston, battered 4-0 at home by Everton in the Carabao Cup in midweek, looked for a way back into it but could not force Addicks keeper Arthur Okonkwo into a save of note.

Grant gave the home side the lead with his first goal for the club since leaving for Huddersfield in January 2019 as Millenic Alli's cross came to him in the area.

Alli had a chance to wrap it up late on but was denied by a good save from Preston keeper Daniel Iversen. in his home debut.

It was a bit of a hard grind, but better second half.  Fans rated Leaburn's contribution.   Supremo Nathan Jones said: “Miles Leaburn was outstanding. He led the line against three big centre-halves and had zero protection from the referee. At time it looked like Aussie Rules out there. It was his best game for us. “He was exhausted and had a cut eye when he came off - that’s what I want to see from my centre-forward.”

Nathan Jones has credited his coaching staff for the half-time change which helped lead to the winning goal.   Carey was replaced by Alli.

Preston's assistant supremo McCall was booked.  Fan: 'That's just for your haircut.'

It was the first time Paul Heckingbottom had lost to a Nathan Jones team after four encounters.  The under pressure Preston supremo said it had gone wrong in both boxes for them.  Attributing unusual powers to the Addicks, he said that Charlton were willing the ball into the net.  They had smelt the chance to score.

The chances of Heckingbottom falling to the curse of Charlton are reduced by takeover talk at Preston.

AI avatar Desmond from Deal commented: 'I have to admit that Jones rides his luck, but there are 43 games to go and nine points won't save you from relegation.  Charlton started well last season, but they face a real challenge away at the Baggies on Wednesday.'

 

Jones searching for three more signings

Charlton have been linked with a loan move for Nottingham Forest defender Tyler Bindon.  The cultured 21-year old Kiwi has had difficulty in finding a first team place at Forest.  He was on loan at Sheffield United and reports from there indicate that he has potential yet to be fully realised.

“We’re probably looking to do about three, we think,” Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley, when quizzed on the amount of business still to be done. “The one position we still looked at (right wing) but we might also need to do some wheeling and dealing, to bring in cover.”

“What we don’t want to do is to be in a position we were last season in a certain area (being short). This week has been very, very difficult for one position that we are left exposed like that.”

Striker Daniel Kanu is hoping to make a loan move to Notts County. [It seems to me that this is hbis level, a great striker there but not up to Championship standard - WG]. Cawley reported earlier this week on South London Sport that club captain Greg Docherty is also the subject of interest.

Jones has indicated that Charlton are unlikely to make a goalkeeper loan signing despite Will Mannion being out with a shoulder problem.   He had praise for Tiernan Brooks, although admitting he was partially at fault for conceding the goal against Spurs.   [As someone who watches non-league it's a big transition from there to playing a Premier League side at their stadium.  WG]

The worried Welshman has no illusions about this afternoon’s fixture: “It’s a very, very difficult game. We’ll be going all out to win it, regardless of whether it is the first, second or third win of the season. I don’t think that adds pressure. It is a stat that we’d like, but purely for the fact it gives us another three points.”

Record against Preston is poor

Should Charlton win tomorrow, it will be only the second time since 1992/3 (the start of modern football) that they have won their three opening matches.

Our record against Preston North End is far from good.  They have won each of their last six games against Charlton, their longest winning run against any current Championship side.

The Addicks have lost five of their last seven home games against Preston (W 1, D 1), failing to score in four of these matches.

As the CAS Trust preview points out, any team with no points is likely to be in fighting mode: https://www.castrust.org/2026/08/life-at-the-north-end-of-the-championship/

I wouldn't read too much into Preston's 0-4 defeat at home by Everton in the Carabao Cup, any more than I would see Charlton's defeat by Spurs as significant, other than for the injuries.   Preston made seven changes, although it's worth noting they were susceptible to balls played in behind their defence.

Four Four Two forecast a 17th place finish for Preston, while the selected fan plucked for 14th, 'our spiritual home in the second tier.' A deal for Saudi businessman Amr Zadir to take over appears to have stalled.

Fans have a mixed view of supremo Paul Heckingbottom who 'will need a strong start to quieten the doubters.'   If he left 'he should be replaced by someone who won't play back three.'

Referee Tom Reeves is local to me in Warwickshire.  His first Championship game was Charlton v. Sheffield Wednesday in 2025.  He is known for his reluctance to give red cards and uses yellows as little as he can.

Some fans have argued that spending £4m on Rak-Sakyi would not have been a good use of money when two or three journeymen could be picked up for the same sum.

However, the potential signing did attract the attention of the New York Times.  After being barely mentioned at all, Charlton were featured twice in one week.   Why does this matter?  New York is the financial capital of the US and any billionaire or private equity company looking for a soccer franchise is likely to have his staff keep an eye on the NYT.

Good luck to my eldest granddaughter's partner may his debut in goal today for Abingdon Town (founded 1870) against Shipston Excelsior.

Wine recommendations

Lord Young of Acton drinks a £80 bottle of wine if QPR win, but sometimes settles for a £40 bottle of plonk.  No need to spend that money.   Lidl have a white from the south of France at £7, great with sea food, Le Rocher de Saint Victor, Picpoul de Ponet.   Shame about our quarrels with Argentina as their Malbecs from the Andes foothills are superb value, Tesco has one from Mendoza at £9.50.

Farewell, then, Thomas Kaminski

Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski is poised to seal a move to Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia reports Richard Cawley.

Kaminski’s preference has remained to join Omonia Nicosia, who are managed by former Manchester United and Blackburn defender Henning Berg.

They are one of the country’s leading clubs, with 22 league titles and won 4-2 in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Sint-Truiden this evening to progress in the competition. The domestic season in Cyprus starts for Omonia Nicosia on Monday.

Tiernan Brooks started Wednesday night’s 5-1 defeat at Tottenham. It was a testing baptism for the former Gateshead stopper. He faced 11 shots with an xGOT (expected goals on target) of 2.43 - Mikey Moore’s opener squeezing between his hands.

Brooks made six saves, most notably low to his left to keep out Archie Gray’s goalbound strike.