Charlton Athletic are heading towards a very important summer transfer window to ensure they do not underachieve as much as they did in 2021/22.

The Addicks finished 13th in League One, and even had to deal with some relegation anxiety at the beginning of the campaign.

Waiting until the last minute to assemble a squad capable of competing in a 46-game season was a huge mistake, that directly led to Nigel Adkins struggling in the dugout and the team underperforming on the pitch.

With Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town looking menacing from outside the play-off places in the second half of the season, the top end of the third tier could be just as competitive next season and right now, the Addicks are way off the pace if they want to compete for a top six spot.

Here, we have taken a look at how Charlton can have the perfect summer window in seven steps...

Still being manager-less is not helping their cause at all.

Johnnie Jackson has found a new job, at AFC Wimbledon, before his replacement has been appointed and the Addicks are falling behind their competitors, in terms of detailed preparation, as every day passes.

Mark Warburton, Michael Appleton and Michael Beale are standout names in the running, with Matt Taylor the current bookmakers' favourite at an odds on price.

As it stands, Charlton are risking making the same mistakes they did in the summer of 2021.

Sean Clare, who came second in the club's Player of the Season vote, will enter the final year of his contract at The Valley next season.

The ball playing midfielder or defender, is one of the most exciting players in the current squad, in terms of his potential adaptability to Championship level.

This could see many clubs sniffing around for a bargain in the near future, with pre-contract agreements allowed from January, if the 25-year-old is not tied down soon.

The Addicks must keep hold of Charlie Kirk as the most valued asset at the club, in terms of a future sell-on fee.

Blackpool are interested in signing the winger, but only for a fee that would see Charlton turn a loss on the 24-year-old's services after bringing him in from Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2021, on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The South Londoners will be far more dangerous in the final third next season, for Kirk's presence in competition with the likes of Corey Blackett-Taylor, Scott Fraser and Jayden Stockley.

Having, questionably, decided against triggering the option to buy clause in Akin Famewo's loan from Norwich City, Charlton need to acquire more than one centre back this summer, but with a left sided one taking greater priority for the time-being.

Will Boyle could be the answer to that conundrum and the 26-year-old is available on a free following the end of his contract at Cheltenham Town.

Boyle is gifted, for the level, with the ball at his feet and would make an excellent partner for Sam Lavelle at the heart of defence.

With Tom James having recently signed a new contract at Leyton Orient and the competition potentially too fierce for the Addicks to sign Kane Wilson this summer, the Addicks should turn to local lad Mahlon Romeo.

A fee would be required for the 26-year-old's services with two years remaining on his deal at Millwall, but he does not seem to be in Gary Rowett's future plans.

Romeo is an attack-minded full back and would provide a far more dynamic option, after a couple of seasons of mundane performances at right back and right wing back, from the recently released Adam Matthews and Chris Gunter.

To bolster their depth in wide areas, having seemingly moved away from Johnnie Jackson's rigid 3-5-2 formation, Charlton should target Sutton United's David Ajiboye.

The 23-year-old is out of contract this summer, as per Transfermarkt, and is on a steep upward trajectory in his career.

Ajiboye chipped in with 14 goal contributions for the Amber and Chocolates this season, and his searing pace off the right flank would be an exciting spectacle with Blackett-Taylor offering a similarly breathless approach from the other wing.

Possibly leaving the most important step until last, the Addicks need to appoint a Head of Football Operations or Director of Football, similar titles for essentially the same role, so that they are taken more seriously in the negotiations process and establish a clear direction in their recruitment.

Thomas Sandgaard has spent money since acquiring the club in September 2020, and has handed out longer term contracts than the club were previously accustomed to offering, however the lack of football experience in the hierarchy of the club, and most importantly recruitment, is glaring.

It is a state of affairs that could and most likely will, if not addressed, hold the club back in the transfer market this summer, which would lead to another season where Charlton do not fulfil their potential.