Charlton Athletic have made a mainly encouraging start to life under Ben Garner and will not yet have given up hope of finishing in the League One play-offs this season.

It was a fairly quiet summer transfer window from the Addicks, where they failed to strengthen towards the back end, despite confirming that there were a number of positions that they were aiming to address in the squad.

Recruitment has been a weakness that has held Charlton back considerably since suffering relegation from the Championship in 2019/20, and it may be difficult for Garner to bring in players that can improve the squad given the structure in place above him at the club.

Here, we have taken a look at two transfer dilemmas Garner is likely to face in January...

Left back

Steven Sessegnon has had his ups and downs with injuries so far this season, and therefore it is important that the Addicks improve their depth in that area, to avoid suffering the drop-off in quality they have at times this season.

Charles Clayden, Sean Clare and Richard Chin have all filled in at left back, the latter two being right footed, but they all quickly step aside when Sessegnon is available.

Sessegnon is only on loan as well, so ignoring this issue in January will only give the Addicks more work to do come the summer.

 

 

Striker

Jayden Stockley has alarmingly regressed this season, scoring just twice in 18 league appearances, and Charlton could definitely strengthen their attacking contingent with a new number nine.

They have one of the best strikers in the division in Chuks Aneke, but the 29-year-old is not fit enough to start matches, and it is an unhealthy habit to be getting into, to need substitutes to come on and impact games week in week out to yield a positive result.

It is common knowledge that a move for Macauley Bonne fell through on deadline day in September, and so it would not be a surprise to see the Queens Park Rangers man return to South East London.