Worrying similarities between Standard Liege and Charlton

It is looking increasingly like both Kermorgant and Stephens will be gone by the end of the week. According to witnesses Yann’s forlorn clapping of the travelling support last night at Doncaster told them all they needed to know.

Sky Sports are reporting that a fee has been agreed between Bournemouth and Charlton and Wyn understands it to be £500,000.

Yann is a huge loss to the side and it’s supporters. Alongside Johnnie Jackson, Yann has stood for everything that has been good about Chris Powell’s reign as manager. Google any range of Charlton highlights from the past couple of years and there he will be stood, chest puffed, steely grin, arm raised, our Breton warrior. But not for much longer it would seem.

Kermorgant is one of Powell’s most trusted players and has made it clear that he will only stay if he gets guarantees about Powell’s future, they are not forthcoming and the 32-year old has to think of himself, his family and his career, even though it is thought that Yann has resisted the move.

At least in Eddie Howe he can probably comfort himself in that he has found another Chris Powell. Incidentally Howe was backed by the new Russian owner at Bournemouth, who took counsel from previous owner Eddie Mitchell. Just saying.

So then, as Powell’s Band Aids start to fall off, and everything starts to unravel, I am reminded of what happened at St Truiden and Standard Liege when Roland Duchâtelet first took them over.

It is well documented that at Standard, he sold captain Steven Defour as well as Eliaquim Mangala, Mehdi Carcela-González, Axel Witsel and Christian Benteke within the first few months of owning the club causing fans to riot and protest vehemently. He was undeterred of course, and happily moved his players around a network that has since grown.

All but Defour had come through the youth team at Standard and underscores Duchâtelet’s emphasis on youth production. Defour was Standard’s very own Johnnie Jackson, except more of a salable asset. He reputedly fell out with Duchâtelet forcing his move to Porto.

What is obvious, at least to many of us, is that some Liege and Ujpest reserve loanees and with no disrespect to Harry Lennon and others, but unseasoned youth players is not going to help us in a relegation battle.

I listened intently to Duchâtelet, Meire and Murray’s video interview. Nice comments on academies and matchday experiences but we can save that for later. Football is a results business and that needs to begin now.