Charlton Athletic: Yann Kermorgant 2.0 would be welcome at The Valley - View | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic would do well to sign a player that can have the same impact as Yann Kermorgant did in SE7.

Charlton Athletic supporters would be delighted if, ahead of Friday's transfer deadline, the club signed a player who could have the same impact as Yann Kermorgant did during his time at The Valley.

The Addicks have enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2024/25 season, having won all of their first three league fixtures and kept three clean sheets in the process.

The last time Charlton won their first three league games was at the beginning of the 2011/12 season before Chris Powell's side went on to win the League One title in that campaign.

Powell signed striker Kermorgant on a free transfer in September 2011 following the Addicks' strong start to the season and the Frenchman became a key part of the team that took Charlton back to the Championship.

With the end of the transfer window fast approaching, Charlton supporters will hope that current boss Nathan Jones brings in another player who can help the Addicks reach the second tier, especially considering they have made an excellent start once again.

Kermorgant proved to be an excellent signing for Charlton Athletic

Kermorgant was public enemy number one at Leicester after his failed Panenka in their 2010 Championship play-off semi-final penalty shootout defeat against Cardiff City.

When the striker signed for Charlton, he told Sky Sports the main reason he chose to join the club.

"I had a number of offers from clubs in France, but during my time at Leicester City, I had an excellent relationship with Chris Powell," said Kermorgant.

"Once I met Chris, and discussed his style of play and his ambitions for the club, I felt that Charlton is going to be an exciting place to be over the next few years, and I want to be a part of it."

Kermorgant's decision to sign for Charlton turned out to be a good one. He scored four goals in his first six games for the Addicks and quickly established a successful strike partnership with Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Charlton won promotion to the second tier as champions at the end of the Frenchman's debut season in SE7 and after Wright-Phillips struggled to adapt to life in the Championship, he became the focal point in attack for Powell's side.

He scored 12 goals and assisted nine during the 2012/13 season as the Addicks finished ninth in the Championship - their highest league finish since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

As well as contributing to the South Londoners' collective success during his time at the club, Kermorgant also enjoyed a personal comeback after his difficult period at Leicester. He played against the Foxes three times in a Charlton shirt, won each game 2-1, and scored in all three fixtures against his former club.

"I hear the abuse but I love it," Kermorgant told The Telegraph in 2013.

"I can't understand why they boo me. Maybe they should stop. I'm still scoring and we are winning every time."

Kermorgant was a joy to watch during his time at The Valley. He scored all kinds of goals - right foot, left foot, headers, free kicks, penalties, and even acrobatic efforts. His sale to AFC Bournemouth in January 2014 was one of the worst footballing decisions made during Roland Duchatalet's time as owner of the club.

In April 2023, Kermorgant was inducted into Charlton Athletic's Hall of Fame, cementing his status as an influential player in their history.

Charlton Athletic would take a player like Kermorgant now

Charlton fans would certainly be delighted if they signed a player with the attitude and ability of Kermorgant before the end of the summer transfer window.

It would be no surprise to see one or two more players come in through the door at The Valley before Friday's deadline, and if they can have anywhere near the same impact as the forward, it would definitely improve the Addicks' chances of returning to the Championship this season.