This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlton Athletic struck a January agreement with Chelsea for young forward Mason Burstow, who signed for the Blues before swiftly returning to The Valley on loan for the rest of 2021/22. 

Burstow had scored six goals for Charlton across all competitions prior to Chelsea swooping for his long-term signature, including two goals in League One earlier in January.

However, since completing the move to Stamford Bridge and then returning to Charlton, the 18-year-old has struggled to hit those heights again.

FLW's Charlton fan pundit, Ben Fleming, believes that, whilst Burstow's performances have been disappointing, injuries to senior strikers like Jayden Stockley, Conor Washington and Chuks Aneke haven't helped given the style of football Johnnie Jackson's side have played.

He explained: “He’s flattered to deceive since the move went through, but I don’t really know what more we can expect.

“He’s a young striker who, before moving to Chelsea, had only been given seven games in the first-team. He’s now leading the line on his own without Stockley, Washington or Aneke, who offer him that physical presence.

“We are largely playing long balls into him and asking him to control it and use his physicality. That’s not a trait he possesses, or at least not one of his best assets.

“Performances have been bad, but we’ve certainly thrown him in the deep end and aren’t playing to his strengths. It’s difficult to know what more you can expect for a person of his age with his lack of experience.”

Burstow stepped off the bench for Charlton in their 3-2 win over AFC Wimbledon in early February, but the Addicks have been in woeful form since then, losing five consecutive fixtures.

The young forward has been involved in each of those games.

The Verdict 

Ben is bang on the money here about expecting too much from Burstow.

You cannot expect too much from a young forward still finding his way despite a high-profile move to Chelsea.

Jackson's side aren't playing to his strengths at all and it also won't help having a young player looking to thrive in a struggling side.

It's a very difficult environment to stand out, particularly against some of the top side Charlton have been losing to.

From Burstow's perspective, it's just disappointing that this downward spiral has followed his move.

Thoughts? Let us know!