Michael Appleton believes that Charlton Athletic made a prudent decision by not venturing into the free agent market to address their striker shortage. The team faced a setback when Chuks Aneke suffered a hamstring injury in October, sidelining him until the beginning of 2024.
Despite being offered their former player Lyle Taylor, who left Nottingham Forest in the summer, Charlton chose not to pursue any free agents. Taylor, 33, had been a key figure in Charlton’s 2019 League One play-off victory, scoring 25 goals. However, he opted out of playing after the Championship resumed amid the COVID-19 outbreak, expressing concerns about injury risks jeopardizing his options when his contract expired in June.
Appleton, the head coach, explained that the reluctance to sign free agents at this point in the year stems from the challenge of ensuring game time and fitness. He emphasized that signing players who haven’t been in action for an extended period is risky, as they may lack match fitness and confidence. Appleton acknowledged the possibility of considering free agents after the January transfer window, focusing on players who have been consistently playing until that point.
The coach expressed caution, drawing on past experiences where signed players, initially expected to perform at their previous levels, suffered injuries, setting the team back. Despite the striker shortage, Appleton highlighted the presence of promising young players like Micah Mbick, who recently featured in the FA Cup. He noted that while these youngsters may not be the finished product, they offer exciting prospects for the team’s future. Appleton indicated satisfaction with the current options available, emphasizing the team’s careful approach until the upcoming January period.