Kayne Ramsay
Three in, and three out permanently, with another couple out on loan. Still a bloated squad that has to see further exits.
The budget if not tight has to be managed responsibly with Squad Cost Rules (SCR) coming into effect. Those that bleat about us not spending millions need to remember that our revenues are easily in the lower quartile of the league.
Moving on Coventry, Docherty, Apter, Oloafe etc. will raise money, but it won’t move the dial. I am hoping like you that Jones and the club have a couple of big money signings up their sleeves. Midfield is an area that has to be improved.
Jones is clearly moving to a different formation and playmakers in the squad as it stands are limited, if in the building at all. A properly defensive midfielder that sits in a two in front of the central defensive pairing, Coady like, but without being Coady is also an essential. That midfield two will have one to shield, and one to play.
Another wide man has to be on the list and then I do think Jones will play the loan market late in the window.
The question is does the club cash in a big asset to raise real funds to enable Jones to further create the evolution he desires and sign more and better quality players.
I really like Kayne Ramsay and I think he is on Jones’ docket as next season’s starting right back. But, he has a year left on his contract and it doesn’t sound like a new one is close to agreement.
Rumour has it that Serie A side Torino have discovered Ramsay and are considering a bid. I don’t believe for a minute it is anywhere near six million pounds or euros, but he will command a decent fee despite having just the 12 months to run.
Ramsey, an outgoing and confident personality wouldn’t say no to that sort of move surely, if Torino are really prepared to make a bid.
I hate losing our best players, but the next stage of our evolution will be just that. Finding value in new players, improving and exposing them and selling them on for a profit, and then starting the cycle again.
The Charlton team that may well take us to the promised land in however many years, will look nothing like today’s.
Talking of which I am still yet to see Jones be cutthroat in his squad decisions. Gillesphey, Mitchell and Anderson were all outside the main group last season.
Other than Ramsay, Lloyd Jones and TC all have only a year left on their contracts.
I think Jones is vital to any rebuild, but I did say post last season that I thought TC would be sold to the right bidder. However with a move to 4-2-3-1, I’m pretty convinced Jones will keep him. He’s a fan as we know.
So, Ramsey being cashed in does make sense, especially if it is an attractive offer to the club, and of course we recycle the fee and we’d need another right back as well.
For the record Edwards, Bell, Coventry, Kanu, Docherty and Burke also only have a year left on their deals. The latter two in that list have year options.
This is a different window, we have been used to Jones making early signings, but I imagine that Chapple, Rodwell and Jones are finding this market a whole lot different to work in.
A couple of new midfielders in the vintage of Kinsella and Stuart being announced would be very welcome.
If the club is to progress and compete at the top end of the league, then l think player’s like Ramsey (at 25 years old?), along with Jones & Bell, need to form the nucleus around which the team is built. Imo you don’t progress by selling your better players although l appreciate the economics involved.
McNamara is a step backwards in my opinion.
We signed Kayne Ramsay for £100k – so if he goes for anywhere near to the 6m Euros suggested (which will include add ons) it represents a massive profit. Some of that will presumably go to Harrogate. We have to use that money well and recycle it into buying in a strong/creative midfielder plus a goal scorer that might currently be just outside our budget.
If he won’t sign a new contract then we need to be hard headed but negotiate a good deal. Torino’s interest might flush out a counter bidder too – for example we got a bit more for Alex Mitchell after Wycombe put an offer in. With around six weeks before the transfer window closes we don’t need to sell Ramsay just yet.
Thankfully Josh Edwards has 2 years to run on his deal. Signed a 4 year deal in Jul 24.
https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/charlton-complete-josh-edwards-signing
Losing Ramsay would be a major setback and I don’t see that we have the money to bring in as good a replacement.
Not knowing what goes on behind the scenes at the Valley I was hoping that we might be able to secure the services of Coady (who I thought did an excellent job for us last year) but I guess I am guilty of wishful thinking.
Right at this moment the squad is NOT any stronger than before the window. Unless there are a few more significant signings before August 15th it looks like a very difficult season awaits us. And we don’t have the significant points deductions as handed out last year to Sheff Wed and Leicester to help us out.
Hoping for the best and fearing the worst……as usual !
I think selling Ramsay would be a ruthless decision, but if we are talking about getting several million for him, then it makes sense, especially if it gets reinvested.
The Joe Aribo rumour has been knocking around again. I initially dismissed this, on the basis that he was apparently on 70k a week at Southampton. Then I started thinking that what if the current offers on the table are nowhere near that, then he may fall into our wage bracket, and maybe it’s not out of the question? Not sure things have gone great for him in the last few seasons, but he definitely has the quality to improve this team.
We desperately need an Aribo type player. Not sure if it is Joe, though.
Good article CA, I remember sometime ago Gavin carter saying we need to make some ruthless decisions, at present nobody as moved who we didn’t expect, Docherty Coventry have done well for us but last season they got a bit found out, we still need to move players on tanto apter rankin Costello not going to play and also burke , stick to your words move them on and bring quality midfielders in coyr
I agree with you CA ;have posted previously that the squad is too big and needs trimming. This summer transfer market is slower due to the prolonged WC. I think we need to very careful about transfers rumours, as I remember a certain CB being linked to Huddersfield who were in the championship and ended up signing for Forest Green in league 2. I think we all know that players agents use the rumour transfer market. We are always thirsty for rumours in a void of no information, it is only natural in this age of quick news.
if Torino are going to pay 6million euros for Ramsey, I would say sign here and thank you very much ( I don’t believe it btw) . This is a player with 1 year left and lost some confidence during the season. Is he replaceable, yes is my opinion. If we are being ruthless, those on 1 year left contracts, if they are not signing new offered contracts, then we listen to offers for them. ‘Commit or go’ should be the message. Yes fans will get angry, but if a player doesn’t want to stay, then cash in with 1 year left. Going into the difficult January transfer market and getting a fraction of you would get now or for free next summer is not good business sense for me. In the end every player has their price, I can see TC, Kanu, Ramsey, Doherty being sold . Apter and oloafe will go out on loan. Don’t be surprised if Lloyd Jones goes for a big fee as well. To get those quality players in we will need to sell some of our assets, as we don’t have the financial resources needed under the PSR rules. It’s not a matter of owners throwing millions into the pot and saying there you are. Big signings come with big wages and they drain the club resources. So we get value in the European market, and pick up championship players either through free transfers or those themselves on short remaining contracts. Perhaps some loans as the transfer market deadline approaches. August is going to be a very busy month, as clubs shape their squads. One thing is certain, we need to strengthen the midfield and some players may be needed to sold to make it happen. That’s not a popular position to be in, I don’t envy those involved in negotiating these transfers. These are just my thoughts and happy to hear from others , perhaps I have missed something and open to see other people’s perspectives. Now going on the big family summer trip to Italy, in preparation for upcoming season.
Always good to hear your thoughts R-A. Enjoy Italy.