Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Can Charlton achieve promotion with ex-Swindon striker Nicky Ajose on board?
On 27th June, Charlton unveiled their latest signing, and it is one that got everyone exceptionally excited. Nicky Ajose, a product of the Manchester United Academy, has joined the Addicks from Swindon town on a three year deal for an , but understand it to be around £800,000.
The 24 year old scored 24 goals in 38 appearances for the Robins last season and finished as League One’s second top goal-scorer. It really is a very impressive total, especially when you take into consideration Swindon finished 16th last season, only scoring 64 goals in total. Without Ajose’s contribution, Swindon’s campaign could have been close to turmoil.
When a player scores that many goals, then clubs will come calling, which is exactly what happened. What are the reasons Ajose has attracted Charlton to heavily pursue him, and what qualities have they seen that they think he will provide to SE7?
So, his goals have already been mentioned. He is a striker, and this aspect is of course a key part of his game, but how did he manage to score 24 goals in a mid-table side? Simply, it is down to how clinical his finishing is. Ajose was being scouted by Charlton as soon as Russell Slade was appointed as manager of the club. When the signing was confirmed Russell Slade explained why he was so keen on Ajose
“He is very strong in the box, if a defender misses the ball Nicky is normally the next man there to stick it away”.
So, physicality is something that Ajose possesses, which is hardly something that many of Charlton’s forwards can boast. Vetokele wasn’t strong he’s now out on loan, Lookman while skilful isn’t very strong so a strong attacker is something that will really boost the attacking threat and the level of excitement of the fans who witnessed genuinely weak attacking for the most part of last season.
Russell Slade said another quality that Ajose brings is his work ethic, :
“He’ll bring a lot in terms of the team, he’s a real team player and he’ll work exceptionally hard”.
It was this relentless endeavour that helped Ajose to the total 24 goals last term, so at Charlton, when he has players such as Callum Harriott and Jordan Cousins feeding him chances, he should be able to at least match that tally. Charlton have been needing a clinical finisher to put away the opportunities that come their way during a match. An example that springs to mind is Vetokele against QPR at Loftus Road last season, spurning chance after chance.
Russell Slade he was also impressed with Ajose’s enthusiasm. During negotiations:
“He (Ajose) was talking about the club, he wanted to know everything and that is fantastic. His thirst for knowledge of Charlton and his thirst for getting started and getting cracking was really pleasing.”
Ajose’s enthusiasm and confidence showed in his first interview as a Charlton player, with the statement on the that read:
“I’ve joined Charlton to try and win promotion”.
He went on about how determined he was to achieve this and he is very confident he can replicate his form to help Charlton reach that prestige again. He also stated in his interview that at Swindon last year, his “aspirations for this season were to be playing in the Championship” and this confidence will help lift the dark cloud hanging over SE7.
Ajose said himself: “From what I have seen and been told, he has really changed the atmosphere around the club already”. He mirrored Russell Slade’s enthusiasm and expressed his desire to work for the manager after the long conversation the two exchanged. Reflecting this, Ajose:
“We spoke about football of every kind, the club and had a good chat”.
So, Ajose’s arrival means scoring goals should not be an issue, with the hit-man averaging a goal every 138 minutes. It is looking like a juicy attack for Charlton next season, along with signings Ricky Holmes and Lee Novak and with Ajose leading on the goal front, confidence is rightly high. The London outfit could well finish next season as champions if Ajose stays fit.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by