Football League World
·26 April 2024
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·26 April 2024
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones and midfielder Conor Coventry have both echoed fans' opinions that George Dobson should stay at the club.
Dobson, who arrived at The Valley on a free transfer from Sunderland in the summer of 2021, is set to make his final appearance for the club on Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park. The 26-year-old midfielder agreed a pre-contract with Hungarian side Fehérvár towards the end of the January transfer window.
When Jones was appointed as manager in February, he helped to ensure that Dobson's imminent move was delayed until the end of the season. Fehérvár released a statement on their club website at the time, stating that Dobson's family "had already moved" and Charlton "backed out of the deal at the last moment".
Jones has started Dobson in each of the last ten fixtures that the Addicks have played in League One, while the midfielder continues to impress – contributing a goal and two assists in his last three games.
No one has played more minutes for Charlton this season and Jones has made no secret of the fact that he wants to keep Dobson at the club. Following the Addicks' final home game of the season against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, a 1-1 draw in which Dobson scored the equalising goal, the manager made his intentions clear.
According to Richard Cawley, Jones said: "I want him to be at this football club and playing for Charlton. I will do everything I can to keep George Dobson at this football club. I did it in January, to prolong his stay, and I would like to keep him"
He is not the only person at The Valley who wants to see Dobson stay at the club. The fans in attendance on Saturday could be heard chanting '10 more years, 10 more years, George Dobson" within minutes of the match kicking off against Shrewsbury Town. 'Dobbo', as he is affectionately referred to by the supporters, has become a fan's favourite during his stint in South London.
January signing Conor Coventry, who joined the club from West Ham, has also made his feelings known on behalf of the Charlton squad. He reportedly told London News Online that every member of the Addicks' dressing room wants to see their captain at the club next season.
It appears as though everyone at Charlton shares the same desire to see Dobson wearing the armband again next season, but it could be easier said than done.
Fehérvár made it clear in their statement that they are "waiting" for Dobson to arrive in the summer, so it is unlikely that they will agree to any deal that sees him depart without making a single appearance.
It should also be considered that Dobson might want to make the move. He has captained the club for over a year, something he described at the time of the appointment as the greatest honour of his career, and enjoyed a successful spell on the pitch from a personal perspective. He could view this as the right time to take the next step in his career.
Fehérvár are currently second in the Hungarian top flight. Any club that finishes second or third reaches the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, while the club that wins the league reaches the UEFA Champions League qualification rounds. If Dobson does leave Charlton, it is in pursuit of challenging for a league title and playing European football.