Left back signs
Charlton added a much-needed left back to their squad today, and it was a slightly peculiar pick. Steve Gallen has a good relationship with Dougie Freedman at Palace, and looks another tip-off from our South London rivals.
Pape Souare has hardly played during the past few years last playing in the French 2nd Division during the Covid hit 2019/20 season. Palace had signed him in January 2015, and he played 34 games for them in that first Premier League season.
Then in September 2016 Souare was involved in a road traffic accident on the M4 and sustained terrible injuries that put him out of the game for a year. He was also privately prosecuted after he had to be cut from his Mercedes.
The Senegalese was unable to get back in the Palace team after his recovery and after playing 5 games in three season’s was released.
Meanwhile Souare was back at Palace this summer and had a pre-season with them before coming across to Sparrows Lane for a trial. Despite a lack of game time, he passed a medical and has signed a one-year contract, subject to international clearance.
I have never knowingly seen the 31-year old play, but I read that he has good left foot, and he has played at the highest levels in England, France and internationally collecting 22 Senegal caps. It just appears to be a random choice when I think we were hoping or expecting a quick player more in the wing-back mode.
We will have to see to what extent he plays.
It looks like quite a few of the players have been random signings after they didn’t get the players they actually wanted. With Lavelle even admiting himself when he travelled all the way down from Morcambe to Charlton they had changed their mind and were looking at someone else, but then decided to sign him just before the deadline. This was obviously as the player they really wanted they couldn’t get, which was probably the Gillingham Centre back, which doesnt show up Charlton in a particular good light!
Anyway we will now see if Adkins/Gallen/Geddy have made the right choices, as Sangaard seems to think every one brought in is just the right player we need and the best out there.
Are you loving Thomas’ post signature words of wisdom too?
Come on fellas give the guy a break…looney toon and disengaged or hands-on and (admittedly, yes, over) enthusiastic…I know what I prefer
Good point Steve.
Not the signing many were hoping for, but a left back is better than no left back, but it remains to be seen how much Souare has recovered from his crash, and where his level is now.
Personally there were three other options i would have looked at:
Brandon Mason – 23 – formerly of coventy
Stephen Hendrie – 26 – formerly of morcambe
Aaron Taylor-Sinclair – 30 – formerly of livingston
all have good league 1 experience, and at least a couple of good years in them, Mason would have been a star, coventry fans didnt want him to go, and he has all the attributes.