The future of Thomas Kaminski
Some interesting and open comments from Nathan Jones today regarding Thomas Kaminski’s future at the club.
There has been stories mostly unsubstantiated, that the Belgian was unhappy and a couple of interested summer glances from European clubs had turned his head.
Sparta Rotterdam and Omonia Nicosia are said to have made enquiries during the summer for the 33-year old ‘keeper. Whether this was agent or paper talk, nobody knows but a fair few Addicks had sensed that all was not well.
Now, Jones has said that the club and Thomas need to make a decision and using the adage of there’s no smoke without fire, I reckon Jones and the club are in the market for a new no. 1 and will push Kaminski to make a decision.
Kaminski is prone to mistakes, but he is not a bad goalkeeper and has plenty of experience at this level, and played a full season in the Premier League.
It is thought that his family don’t live in the UK, and that he has considered packing the game in (again unsubstantiated). Kaminski has had a 17-year career and played over 500 games. Possibly he believes a move to a European league is better for his personal and mental wellbeing.
Kaminski was the only senior pro that didn’t travel to Cheltenham, and although it was no surprise that he didn’t start, not travelling was strange.
Will Mannion, popular with Addicks, had a wobble in the 2nd half, but did produce a good save later, but there is a good chance that it will be he that starts at home to Derby on Saturday.
It would he helpful if he could make a decision sooner rather than later, to give us time to get a replacement keeper in. If Thomas has had his head turned, its best that he move on Will needs competition and I’m not sure that Tiernan Brooks is ready to provide that at the moment, ideally someone who can be the undisputed No1
In my honest opinion the writing was on the wall ages ago…he is prone to making mistakes and his form erratic.
Agree that it odd timing for us and finding a quality keeper will be very difficult.Mannion is a safer bet and maybe Rob Elliot can get his gloves in again 😉
Never fully embraced him…some good saves , but at times he is rooted to the ground as the ball comes in even from distance. I think his nose is out of joint because he didn’t get back as No 1 at the end of last season after injury. I feel better with Mannion but at times, like last Saturday he does stupid stuff too. We need to get a new keeper who will fight it out for No 1. Lastly from what I understand Kaminski is one of the top earners that will free up good wages for someone…. possibly a No 2 at a premiership club even on loan.
The top earner last year I believe.
Interestingly, I recall a conversation with my Luton friend, who had a conversation with Kaminski’s wife at a Luton Town end of season dinner, who told him that Thomas was looking forward to returning to Belgium. Whether that meant retirement, I’m not sure, but he was surprised when we bought him.
I would say that his heart doesn’t seem in it, and that looked apparent in the Reading game.
A good No.1 are worth points across the season, and I’m not sure who is still out there at this point in the window. But Kaminski leaving would free up a fair chunk of the wage bill to replace him with…
Both keepers are similar and don’t have a preference as they have major weaknesses in their games.
I was interested to hear that Charlton have been in contacted with Wrexham, now their keeper was impressive but dropped out of favour.
Reading between the lines from NJ press conference there’s a clear decision to be made on Kaminski, he can’t just warm the bench whilst be a top salary earner.
So yeah offload but a replacement needs to be lined up as a No 1.
For me there is nothing in it between Kaminski and Mannion. Both good standard keepers who can produce a few fluffs at times.
If Kaminski goes? Getting a replacement better than him and Mannion, won’t be easy or cheap.