Nathan Jones comments offer Charlton Athletic hope after Reading FC reminder | OneFootball

Lloyd Jones' future is a key talking point at Charlton Athletic but Nathan Jones has offered hope

Nathan Jones was in a positive mood as he spoke to the press after Charlton Athletic's goalless draw with Reading FC on Saturday.

The Welshman is no stranger to a prickly post-match demeanour but despite seeing his side's three-match winning run end on the weekend, in a game the Addicks could, and perhaps should, have won, there was something of a skip in his step and a glint in his eye in The Valley's media room.

Nathan Jones was quick to praise his players and reveal his pride at their performance but perhaps his most important lines came later on in the press conference as he delivered a verdict on Lloyd Jones' future that offers hope to Charlton supporters.

Lloyd Jones' impressive form has left his future in the balance

The 29-year-old has been a key part of the defensive turnaround in SE7 under the former Luton Town boss and central to the Addicks' recent upturn in form. His return to the starting XI after injury has coincided with a six-game unbeaten run in League One, which has included three victories and four clean sheets.

The stats suggest he is among the best centre-backs in the division as he features among the top 10% at his position in terms of duels won per 90, aerial duels won per 90, interceptions per 90 and the frequency with which he is dribbled past (FotMob). He scores highly, too, in terms of duel and aerial win percentage while the numbers show what an asset he has been in the opposition box as well.

Against Reading on Saturday, he helped keep an attacking unit that contained goal threats like Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs, and Lewis Wing to very few chances, constantly talking to his teammates as he marshaled a backline that ensured that League One's joint-fourth highest scorers were barely able to test Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

It is performances like Saturday's, which have made his future such a pressing concern for Charlton fans as we move into 2025. Lloyd Jones has entered the final six months of his contract and there have been murmurs about outside interest, with third-tier automatic promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers consistently linked as they seek to replace recalled West Bromwich Albion loanee Caleb Taylor and the in-demand Joe Low.

The defender's situation is cause for concern among The Valley faithful and rightly so. Losing him would be a significant blow – both to their hopes of landing a play-off place in 2024/25 and climbing up the EFL in the seasons beyond.

Nathan Jones' defiant comments should ease Charlton Athletic fears

His future is a topic that was raised after Saturday's draw with Reading and Nathan Jones' defiant response is likely to come as music to Addicks' ears and ease worries about a January departure.

"Anyone who wants to come in for Lloyd Jones, he's a prized asset for us," he said. "We're ongoing in terms of contract talks. He's another one that has actually found a home. I signed him for Luton and working with him, he was a lot younger than he is now.

"We had two real excellent, experienced, serial promotion-winning centre-halves in our team at the time. I've got a chance to work with him again. He's really found a home and everything here now. We want to make a longer-term home for him, that's ongoing."

Things had gone a little quiet about a new deal for Lloyd Jones so it's good news for Charlton that talks over a new deal are ongoing.

Not only that, Nathan Jones has made it clear that it won't be cheap to prise him away from The Valley this month and given Wycombe aren't big spenders, that could make things very difficult for the Chairboys.

Lloyd Jones has become a vital cog in the Charlton machine but, much to the joy of Addicks supporters, his manager has made it clear that the League One club are determined to ensure that remains the case beyond January and hopefully even the summer.