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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When you’ve just been promoted from League One into the Championship, you’ll always find yourself up against it when competing against those recently relegated from the Premier League.
Indeed, Fulham, West Brom and Cardiff City have all benefitted from the Parachute Payment scheme this season, with a windfall of around £40m.
In Charlton’s case, however, the uphill battle has only been made harder by owner Roland Duchatelet’s financial restrictions.
The Belgian is still looking to sell the south London club, and Lee Bowyer recently opened up to The Daily Mail on what life under the Addicks chief is like in terms of finances.
“I get that he wants to sell and wants to reduce costs so our budget is bottom by a long way. Of course I’d love a £20m budget like some of our rivals.”
It is this aspect of life at The Valley that makes another part of Bowyer’s interview with The Daily Mail so pivotal, and invaluable, at this current time.
“We have built good relations in the loan market with West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal in particular. Other Championship clubs can afford to pay a higher percentage of wages but we can still get the players because they see us as the best place to learn.”
The 42-year-old cites Krystian Bielik’s time on loan at Charlton from Arsenal last term as a key example, stating that the Pole would definitely not have been worth the £10m he was sold to Derby for this summer before his loan spell in south London.
Charlton also have the impressive Conor Gallagher – who has four goal involvements in eight Championship games this term – on loan from Chelsea. The 19-year-old recently won the EFL’s Young Player of the Month award.
The Addicks have also signed West Ham youngster Josh Cullen on a season-long loan deal twice across the last two summers – the midfielder set up Patrick Bauer’s League One play-off final winner at Wembley last season with a great cross.
Since replacing Karl Robinson in the Charlton hotseat, Bowyer has spent a grand total of £203,000 on new signings – the entirety of that figure was lavished on Macauley Bonne back in the summer.
Duchatelet’s restrictions make Bowyer’s life as manager of a newly-promoted club even harder than usual, but his strong relationship with Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham, in particular, are currently proving invaluable.
Charlton, after all, are currently eighth in the Championship, just one point off the play-offs and three behind leaders Leeds United.
It remains to be seen if Bowyer can keep it going, but the acquisition of promising youngsters is only going to stand them in good stead.
