Xavier Simons from Chelsea to Charlton Athletic: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic, alongside Oxford United, Leyton Orient and Salford City, are interested in signing Xavier Simons on loan from Chelsea according to the Evening Standard.

Simons has struggled in the first half of the season on loan at Hull City and is yet to be recalled by the Blues, but it does seem likely that the 19-year-old moves on one way or another this month.

The Tigers’ recruitment strategy in the summer was fairly scattergun, and it has led to a number of players picking up hardly any minutes, compared to what they would have hoped for upon arrival.

Simons is a deep lying central midfielder and in that could see his pathway to first team action blocked at The Valley as well.

Is it a good potential move?

Most likely not.

The Addicks are stacked for options in central midfield, and though Dean Holden has committed to handing opportunities to younger players in his tenure so far, a part of that has been down to necessity.

George Dobson is arguably Charlton’s most reliable performer and has recently taken the captain’s armband, the 25-year-old would stay in the team ahead of Simons, who has mainly played in defensive midfield in the infancy of his career.

There are other options to Simons that would further guarantee regular game-time.

Would he start?

Very rarely.

The Addicks have seven players capable of playing in central midfield currently at the club, and none of them currently appear likely to leave this month.

Simons has a cultured right foot, and may back his ability to fight for his place in the side, but looking to the longer term, the Addicks may have hardly anything to play for in the remainder of the season, and therefore loan players could slip down the pecking order.

Quiz: What club do these 15 ex-Charlton Athletic academy players play for now?

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Joe Pigott?

AFC Wimbledon Burton Albion Portsmouth Sheffield Wednesday

What does he offer?

Simons is very physically developed for a 19-year-old, and should be able to cope with the demands of League One football.

He has an eye-catching passing range and is very comfortable on the ball, in some ways similar to Aaron Henry, who would probably earn minutes ahead of Simons due to being homegrown.

Conor McGrandles has struggled with injuries so far this term while Sean Clare has been mainly used as a defender, so in the short term, Simons would offer another viable midfield option to Holden, should the 43-year-old see that as a necessary area of the squad to address.