"I'm really excited" - Charlton Athletic starlet who joined at Under-13 level tipped for big Addicks future | OneFootball

FLW's Charlton fan pundit has identified one young player at the club who could have a big future ahead of them.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlton Athletic are a club renowned for their ability to consistently produce high-quality young players.

Nick Pope, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Scott Parker, Ademola Lookman, Jermaine Defoe - all of those stars began their careers in the Addicks' academy system.

Possessing a top-class production line is vital for a club like Charlton, who are looking to start climbing the EFL pyramid once again, all the while being as financially careful and self-sustainable as possible.

Nathan Jones' current squad has a number of homegrown talents scattered across it too, as his side look to secure a play-off spot in the third tier this season, and give themselves a chance of playing for a place in the Championship for the first time since 2020.

We asked our Charlton fan pundit, Emma Harknett: 'Is there an emerging wonderkid at the club that you're particularly excited about? If so, who and why?'

Harknett said: "I'm really impressed with a young lad called Kai Enslin.

"He joined us at Under-13 level, and he's now played 19 games for our Under-21s this year, scoring eight goals and getting six assists (correct as of time of contract extension - 21 March).

"He's a really, really talented midfielder. Really exciting prospect. He made a start for us in an EFL Trophy game for the first-team this season, and he's been in the matchday squad a couple of times as well.

"He's definitely one I'm really, really excited about. A real, real talent. He's also just signed a new long-term contract with the club as well.

"For me, he's definitely one to be looking out for, for in the future. Really excited to see more of him. Obviously, I would like to see him maybe go out on loan, get him a bit more experience.

"But yes, definitely, he's one to look out for in the future."

Sourcing summer loan move for Kai Enslin could work wonders for his development at Charlton

A right-winger by trade, but also capable of filling in at full-back if required, Enslin would appear to have that versatile nature that so many top players possess.

The 19-year-old is also a player that Jones seemingly sees as being a part of his long-term vision at the club: “We’re delighted to secure Kai," the Charlton boss said after his contract extension was announced.

"He’s a player that’s come through the academy and shown that he can handle any situation. He’s been excelling for the U21s and he’s been included in our squads.

"He’s very good technically and he’s a really intelligent footballer who has real versatility. He’s one we’re really excited for.”

Therefore, with plenty of competition across the forward line and Josh Edwards enjoying a superb debut season for the club at left-back, regular minutes in the first-team may still prove tough to come by next season for Enslin.

As such, sourcing the teenager a loan move away from the Valley to a place where he can get a real taste for senior football next season, may work wonders for his development, and see him return to the club ready to stake his claim for a significant role in the Charlton first-team as a more experienced and refined prospect.