Charlton Athletic have made a fantastic start to their first season back in the Championship and sit second in the league after six games.

One of the players that has shone for the Addicks so far has been Jonathan Leko, who is on a season-long loan from Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion.

We quizzed FLW writer Ned Holmes about the situation and how the Baggies should feel about it in today’s Six Point Opinion…

Firstly, how has he performed for Charlton?

“He has made an impressive start to life at the Valley and looks to be getting some useful experience. 

“Leko has started all but one of the Addicks' Championship games so far and has contributed one goal and two assists.

“The 20-year-old has regularly been utilised as part of a forward duo alongside Lyle Taylor and has been busy in and around the box, taking seven shots and having eight touches in the opposition box so far, according to Wyscout.

“Such have been the quality of his performances that the forward has earned himself a call up to the England under-20s squad.”

Why did they let him leave?

“It appears that Leko was deemed surplus to requirements for the time being by Baggies boss Slaven Bilic, who may have felt it would be more beneficial for him to get some experience elsewhere.

“So far, that has looked like a masterstroke. Leko has been fantastic for Charlton and would likely not have featured much for West Brom given that they signed three wingers, Grady Diangana, Chris Willock and Matheus Pereira, on transfer deadline day.”

How did he perform last season?

“Leko failed to make much of an impact for the Baggies in the 2018/19 campaign.

“He stayed at the club, potentially on the back of a disappointing loan at Bristol City the previous season, but featured just seven times for the first-team, adding one goal and no assists.

“The 20-year-old spent the majority of the season representing the under-23s, scoring twice and providing two assists in according to the Express & Star, there are recall options in the loan deals of both Leko and Sam Field, who also joined Charlton in August.

“The report claims that West Brom would have to activate that clause in January if they wanted to bring the player back to the Hawthorns.”

Should they consider it?

“At this point, I don’t think so, no.

“Given the amount of competition for places on the flanks at West Brom at the moment, Leko would likely be a bit-part player if he was recalled.

“Leko has joined Charlton to get regular first-team football, so to bring him back to play that sort of role would seem a mystifying decision.

“West Ham United reportedly have a January recall clause in the loan deal for Diangana, so I could envisage a situation where he is recalled by the Premier League club meaning the Baggies feel they need to bring back Leko.”

Finally, how should Baggies fans feel about his performances?

“Fans should be excited by his performances. Leko is a player that has shown his talent in flashes in the past but has struggled for consistency.

“Prior to his arrival at Charlton, the 20-year-old had contributed just nearly equaled that in just five appearances for the Addicks.

“It is early days yet but he seems to be settling in nicely at the Valley, which you would imagine will do his development no end of good."