Charlton Athletic may already have regrets over QPR deal - they helped Hoops to strike transfer gold | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic have helped QPR to strike early transfer gold in a deal which may leave Nathan Jones with a tinge of regret...

Charlton Athletic are yet to reap the rewards of their summer recruitment mission, having endured a mixed start to life back in the Championship as a number of Nathan Jones' purchases wait to kick their Addicks careers into gear.

The South London outfit ended a five-year exodus from English football's third-tier back in May by defeating Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final after finishing the campaign in fourth place behind Birmingham City, Wrexham and semi-finalists Stockport County, with promotion ensuing much squad-bolstering activity in the transfer market.

Charlton were busy throughout the summer window, which they finished with ten fresh recruits welcomed into the squad.

Popular manager Jones reunited with a host of his former Luton Town players in Amari'i Bell, James Bree, Reece Burke and Thomas Kaminski, while the likes of Rob Apter, Sonny Carey, Harvey Knibbs, Tanto Olaofe and Joe Rankin Costello were also brought to the Valley.

Perhaps the most eye-catching acquisition, however, was that of Charlie Kelman, who joined in an initial £3.5 million deal from Championship rivals QPR, rising to £5 million, in July following a stunning season on loan in League One.

The one-cap United States international lit up the division and finished as League One's top goalscorer after finding the back of the net on 23 occasions, having accumulated 27 strikes from 61 appearances across all competitions.

However, Kelman is yet to get going and QPR have reinvested their windfall greatly, which could just encourage a feeling of regret at Charlton.

Charlie Kelman has struggled at Charlton Athletic after QPR transfer exit

While Kelman still has the benefit of time to rediscover his goalscoring touch and justify the not-insignificant fee shelled out for his services, it's not harsh to say he has begun life at Charlton in disappointing fashion.

The striker, who admittedly arrived with a mixed record at Championship level, has failed to open his account from seven appearances, five of which have come in league action.

Perhaps more concerning than Kelman's early misfortunes infront of goal, however, is the lack of effectiveness he's offered away from goalscoring, with his overall game coming under scrutiny from supporters in recent weeks.

The 23-year-old was hauled off on the hour mark in Charlton's 1-1 draw at home to rivals Millwall on Saturday afternoon, where he failed to register a single goal and managed 12 touches — just one of which was in the Lions' box — while also losing the most duels in the match by unsuccessfully contesting on no less than 14 occasions.

The draw with Millwall, serving to continue Charlton's historically-wretched record against their rivals, extended the Addicks' winless run to five matches across all competitions, with Nathan Jones' side situated in 18th position after claiming victory from just one of their opening five league encounters.

Richard Kone, QPR developments may amplify Charlton Athletic's potential Charlie Kelman transfer regret

After sanctioning the sale of Kelman to Charlton, QPR opted to reinvest that outlay into an ambitious move for Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers, beating off reported competition from the likes of Leicester City, Preston North End and French outfit Toulouse to secure an initial £2.75 million deal.

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

Much like their acquisition of ex-Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku, who was also the subject of significant interest earlier in the summer, QPR's deal for Kone represented a real coup. The Ivorian frontman scored 21 goals in all competitions throughout 2024/25, and though his return was inferior to Kelman's, Kone is one year the Charlton striker's junior and boasts more potential with a much more rounded footballing profile, which left many wondering whether the Addicks had placed their eggs in the wrong basket.

Thus far, the early evidence suggests that may indeed be the case.

While Kelman's struggles at Charlton are only continuing each passing week, Kone has enjoyed a blistering start to life in West London by scoring three consecutive goals in his opening four matches, getting on the scoresheet against Coventry City, Wrexham, and coincidentally, Charlton themselves in QPR's 3-1 victory at Loftus Road at the end of the previous month.

Time remains for Kelman to rekindle his fortunes, and even for Kone to swiftly lose his goalscoring mojo. However, it already feels like the latter most certainly won't be the case — and Kelman needs to get firing on all cylinders to prevent the Addicks from being left with severe regret, having already helped QPR to strike gold by sealing Kone's signature.