Charlton Athletic hit the bullseye with Ipswich Town deal - he could be worth '£50m' in today's money | OneFootball

Matt Holland captained the Addicks for six seasons between 2003 and 2009.

Former Charlton Athletic captain Matt Holland was a key player for the Addicks during their time in the Premier League.

The midfielder joined the club from Ipswich Town for an initial fee of £750,000 in the summer of 2003, which rose to £900,000 after Charlton stayed in the top flight for the following three seasons.

The Addicks benefitted from signing a few players from the Tractor Boys around that time, with defender Hermann Hreidarsson having swapped Portman Road for The Valley the previous season, and striker Darren Bent making the same move in a deal worth £3 million a couple of years later.

Holland was named captain by Alan Curbishley upon his arrival in SE7, before going on to lead the side out more than 200 times during a six-year spell in SE7, and helping the club record an impressive 7th-place finish in the Premier League during his debut season.

In the modern day, a midfielder with Holland's ability, who would also qualify as a homegrown player for clubs in the Premier League, would no doubt command a significant transfer fee.

Matt Holland would command a significant fee in today's game

Here at Football League World, we asked our Charlton Athletic fan pundit, Sam White, how much money he thinks Holland would be worth in his prime if he played for the Addicks in the Premier League today.

"That's a good question actually," Sam said.

"I think when you look back at early Premier League years, the Charlton squad, for all it was unfashionable and nothing special, when you put it in today's money and style, they would be worth so much.

"Matty Holland is someone that dominated the midfield and broke up play, but also had the magic about him to be pinging great passes and long balls.

"I mean, you are probably looking at £30-£40 million, maybe £50m, and actually, for someone who had such longevity in the Premier League, I think he was taken for granted.

"I think he finished playing in his mid to late thirties, which just shows how athletic and durable he was, and how much stamina he had.

"I definitely think he would be worth a good chunk of money."

Matt Holland had several valuable qualities

Holland had a number of qualities that would make him a valuable asset if he played for Charlton in the Premier League these days, with hard work and commitment complimenting his wide range of passing and ability to shoot from distance.

Another important attribute that would make Holland a costly player if he was available in the current transfer market was his leadership. The midfielder captained each of the three clubs he played for permanently after leaving West Ham United as a youngster - AFC Bournemouth, Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic.

Holland also captained the Republic of Ireland at international level, and won 49 caps for his country, leading them to the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup after scoring against Cameroon in the opening game of the tournament.

The fact that Holland played until he was 35 is another reason why he would likely have commanded a significant transfer fee in today's game. With his devoted playing style, outstanding leadership qualities, impressive ability on the ball, longevity, and homegrown status, there is no reason why Charlton couldn't have sold him for a significant seven-figure fee in today's game, especially considering he helped the club finish 7th in the top flight at the age of 30.