Charlie Kelman issue raised at Charlton Athletic - Nathan Jones expected to take transfer action | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic have been urged to reinforce their attack after a mixed debut campaign from United States international striker Charlie Kelman.

Charlton Athletic have performed well in the Championship this season, establishing themselves in the middle-of-the-table after their promotion via the League One play-offs last season.

The Addicks managed to see off Leyton Orient by a goal to nil in that play-off final at Wembley Stadium, with Nathan Jones then signing a new long-term contract at The Valley.

Expected to struggle by many, Charlton embarked upon a fairly busy summer transfer window that included the £3.5 million addition of Charlie Kelman.

Kelman had been the top scorer in the previous campaign in League One while on loan at play-off finalists Orient from Queens Park Rangers – and he was highly-rated and sought-after.

It remained a risky deal with the American having yet to crack it in the second-tier – and there is room for improvement in his game and on his return down in south London.

Charlton urged to look to add another attacker to their ranks

In his first season at The Valley, Kelman has managed to score six goals but has been down the pecking order for large parts, behind the likes of Miles Leaburn and Matty Godden.

While Kelman has shown some quality since moving to Charlton, FLW’s Addicks Fan Pundit Chris Woodward believes reinforcements are required in the final third this summer.

Chris says: “I think Charlton will definitely be looking to add additional firepower this summer.

“Kelman has shown he can be a quality finisher and his goal return for his minutes played is actually very impressive.

“However, despite his goals, Kelman lacks a lot of quality movement to get into position to receive a lot of chances, nor does he have the physical presence to cause issues for defenders and create opportunities for himself and others, which is why Godden and Leaburn have been preferred in recent weeks.

“He’s lacking the physical and intelligence attributes that Jones prefers to have in his forwards.

“The idea was for Kelman to be a long-term like-for-like for Godden but, at present, he doesn’t have Godden’s level of movement or intelligence to thrive on limited chance and space.

“Kelman would be great in a side that create a lot of opportunities for him, as shown at Orient, but he’s clearly not the type of forward we need at present.

“Hopefully as our team improves, Kelman will also get better as we create more chances for him but, as we transition into that side, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jones bring in a more well rounded forward that can handle the physical side of the game, while Kelman brushes up on his all-round game, as opposed to just his finishing.”

Charlie Kelman can still grow at Charlton

Following their promotion to the second-tier, Charlton were always expected to play quite a reactive style of football that does, as Chris outlines, require a lot of movement from their attackers.

Whether that be smart runs in behind or stretching a defender to provide some space and respite for a hard-working defence or midfield, or simply aggressively pressing from the front, it is a theme of a Nathan Jones-led side.

Jones has shown a tactical flexibility and variety throughout his managerial career, though, with several different systems used and different styles, too, at different stages.

His Luton Town side were once fluent and attacking before becoming extremely tough to beat – and that is something he has taken with him to Charlton.

However, as the Addicks grow, as Chris explains, their status in the Championship may well become such that taking the initative and becoming more proactive in games is more common.

That will likely benefit Kelman, who will thrive from the regular creation of chances to suit his best attribute of his finishing, as was the case with Orient in the third division.