Defender next

After making three attacking players his first signings, Russell Slade is now on the look out for a vocal central defender. Slade has three names on his list according to the SLP. They are 32-year old Matthew Kilgallon, released by Blackburn, 29-year old David Wheater, long time of Middlesbrough, but recently released by Bolton and probably the most popular choice amongst Addicks, Lewisham born Michael Turner, previously of our parish.

Turner left Charlton unable to force his way into a Premier League defence in 2004 but has had an excellent career including many seasons as a Premier League defender himself. He is 32 and is still under contract at Norwich but spent much of the past season and a half out at loan, firstly at Fulham, then at Sheffield Wednesday.

Central defenders contracted to Charlton currently are Jorge Teixeira, Patrick Bauer, Roger Johnson, Harry Lennon, Terrel Thomas and one could also include Alou Diarra. Our defence was atrocious last year and although in parts Teixeira, Bauer, Lennon and Diarra played well enough, as a cohesive unit our defence was nothing short of a shambles. Slade has to change the mentality and importantly the communication amongst the back five.

Bauer is missing the start of pre-season which started this week, Teixeira is expected to be moved on due to his wages, and rumour has it that Johnson’s contract will be cancelled. Continuing the push for English players, someone like Turner alongside Bauer when fit will form a very able pairing with Lennon as back up.

Once we get into July with the players now back in full training, the picture of who will stay and who will leave will be much clearer. Brighton still lead the chase for Cousins, and Icelandic hero Johann Berg Gudmundsson is on Norwich’s radar. A list that will get longer I presume.