Decision time for out of contract players

Adam Matthews and Jake Forster-Caskey will become free agents tomorrow, but talks with them about new contracts are continuing.   Richard Cawley of the SLP notes that it is evident that Nigel Adkins wants Matthews to stay: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-still-in-negotiations-with-adam-matthews-and-jake-forster-caskey/

Opinions about Matthews among fans vary, but on balance I think he is worth keeping.

Forster-Caskey will in any case miss the start of the season as he recovers from his knee injury. 

Six players in contract talks

Charlton are in talks with six players about extending their contracts - Ben Amos, Chuks Aneke, Jake Forster-Caskey, Jason Pearce, Adam Matthews and Ben Watson: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-in-contract-talks-with-six-of-squad-and-confirm-exit-of-trio/

Oshilaja has been let go and Otzumer will not be returning.   Thomas Sandgaard has confirmed that Charlton are interested in two loan players, presumably Famewo and Stockley.

Of those engaged in talks, Ben Watson has attracted some criticism from fans.

Midfielders James Vennings and Ben Dempsey have been offered contracts and various forms of contract have been offered to a number of Academy players: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/james-vennings-and-ben-dempsey-offered-deals-as-addicks-take-up-options-on-ghandour-and-ness/

It's a done deal!

In an open letter to Charlton fans, Thomas Sandgaard said he wanted them to know before anyone else that he had completed his acquisition of the club.   This is now available on the official site: https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5f6dd60385c8a/an-open-letter-to-charlton-fans-from-thomas-sandgaard

Sandgaard has confirmed that he has passed EFL's OADT test and that he expects official confirmation that the transfer embargo is gone - adds "it kind of is already".

Richard Cawley reports: 'Sandgaard's deal has seen him increased the lease on The Valley and TG to 15 years. Says costs on that side have risen as part of deal with Duchatelet. It buys everyone peace of mind that we'll keep playing at The Valley and have the training ground."

Thomas Sandgaard: "There won't be any drama. There is nothing to be nervous about going forward - we can focus 100% on the club and getting back to the Premier League."

Thomas Sandgaard describes it as "an entirely clean deal of everything - versus before when things were interconnected in some way. That is totally undone, otherwise we couldn't have done deal."

Sandgaard on the lease of the land: "It might be the right time to negotiate on those then [at some stage towards end of the agreement]."

Four signings are ready to go, one of them Adam Matthews, reports Richard Cawley. The first signing is Ben Watson: https://addicksdiary3.blogspot.com/2020/09/first-signing-of-sandgaard-era.html Akin Famewo is the latest addition: https://addicksdiary3.blogspot.com/2020/09/another-new-signing.html

Lockyer lost

Tom Lockyer is signing a three year contract at Luton Town, reveals Richard Cawley of the SLP.  Another blow.

His departure does mean that the club has just two fit defenders.   However, it will make it possible to sign Adam Matthews who took part in today's friendly defeat at Crystal Palace: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/luton-town-land-charlton-defender-tom-lockyer-but-defenders-exit-set-to-lead-to-adam-matthews-signing/

Can Matthews be re-signed?

Charlton are waiting to hear from the EFL to see if they can re-sign Adam Matthews.   Lee Bowyer rates him as one of the top five performers last season or even better than that: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-provides-contract-update-on-charlton-athletic-defender/

He was able to get forward well along with good defending.

The nightmare shows no sign of ending

Richard Cawley of the SLP reviews Charlton's plight in depth and it doesn't make for happy reading: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/relegation-to-league-one-feared-exits-of-star-players-and-doubts-over-bowyers-future-the-nightmare-shows-no-signs-of-ending-for-charlton/

Dillon Phillips and Alfie Doughty are the subject of serious interest elsewhere and in the last three years we have had to deal with a cumulative deficit of £40m by selling players.

The SLP also says that Adam Matthews is leaving.   He has been one of our better players this year, showing skill getting forward, but also doing his defensive duties well.   The shell shocked supremo is resigned to losing Matthews: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-fears-that-star-players-will-go-following-championship-relegation/

Bowyer himself is likely to go soon.  I do not think that the club has been in a worse state since the return to The Valley.   I try to be positive and optimistic, but it is becoming more difficult.

Matthews a doubt for Millwall clash

There is uncertainty about whether Adam Matthews will be fit for tomorrow night's clash with Millwall reports Richard Cawley (for it is he) of the SLP: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-defender-could-be-a-late-fitness-call-for-millwall-derby/

This is concerning as Matthews has been one of our better players, good going forward as well as in defence.

Welcome back from furlough Big Dog Richard Cawley!

Doughty contract extended

Alfie Doughty's contract has been extended by one year as Lee Bowyer starts the process of securing existing players. Fulham showed an interest in him in the January transfer window: Deal trigger

Charlton have also been talking to the agent of Adam Matthews.

McGeady's potential

Charlton defender Adam Matthews suggests that Aiden McGeady is a work in progress at The Valley. He is a bit low on game time, but his quality and experience will show through, especially with a young squad: Glimpses of what he can do

Clearly the media point man for the day, Matthews also says we should not get down about the Blackburn reverse: Won't do us any good to be down

Adam Matthews signs

As anticipated, Adam Matthews has now signed for Charlton on a free, filling the gap at right back: 15th signing

I can't remember such a good set of signings at so little cost. All credit to Steve Gallen and Lee Bowyer.

Charlton solve right back problem

Charlton are solving their right back problem by signing Adam Matthews who has played for Cardiff City, Celtic and Sunderland: Right back deal

Career details for the 27-year old Welsh international: Adam Matthews