Although Charlton Athletic were expected to have a relatively quiet January transfer window, Chelsea’s acquisition of promising youngster Mason Burstow on deadline day brought late drama to The Valley.
An eleventh hour bid was accepted for the 18-year-old, meaning he sat out Monday night’s impressive 2-1 win at Portsmouth, with the finalised deal the following day confirming the forward would be immediately loaned back to the Addicks for the remainder of the campaign.
Having scored six goals in 14 appearances, Burstow was quickly establishing himself as a first team regular so not to lose such a player in the short-term while being financially rewarded in the long run is a good deal all round for Charlton.
However, only time will tell whether the transfer makes footballing sense for a raw talent to leave a nurturing environment and run the risk of being the latest of the Stamford Bridge production line of promising youngsters who are slowly forgotten about.
Such was the furore surrounding Burstow, it almost overshadowed Charlton’s impressive signing of Scott Fraser from Ipswich Town on a three-and-a-half year deal for around £500k.
It’s a statement signing by owner Thomas Sandgaard and if the 26-year-old can replicate the form he showed during his time at MK Dons then it may be the much-needed creative spark Charlton have been looking for.
In fact, Charlton were only finishing the window how they started it – their first signing of the month seeing Chuks Aneke brought back to the club from Birmingham City for £300k on a three-and-a-half year contract.
Before leaving for the Blues last summer, Aneke was Charlton’s top scorer in the previous campaign and is more than a welcome returnee to SE7.
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The arrivals of Aneke and Fraser also cast doubt over the long-term futures of Luton loanee Elliot Lee and Conor Washington, who is out of contract in the summer.
Despite being out for much of January, Washington sent a timely reminder of his abilities with a goal against Portsmouth – although persistent injuries raise doubts as to whether the Northern Irishman could play regularly for the Addicks.
Charlton have also added the loan signings of full-back Juan Castillo and midfielder Nile John from Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.
The Addicks will be hoping 22-year-old Castillo has the same positive impact as former Chelsea loanee left-back Ian Maatsen while 18-year-old Nile John comes highly recommended by Charlton legend Chris Powell.
In terms of outgoings, it was no surprise to see loanee Harry Arter return to Nottingham Forest after making just six appearances across all competitions.
Charlie Kirk is another player who struggled to make an impact since joining from Crewe over the summer, featuring just eight times in the league with the winger moving to Championship side Blackpool on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Young forward Josh Davison has also gone out on loan, moving to League Two side Swindon Town in search of regular first team action.
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Davison has shown glimpses of what he can do when called upon by manager Johnnie Jackson with the move to high-flying Swindon a perfect opportunity for him to make his mark before coming back to The Valley in the summer.
As Charlton currently sit 15th in the table, it’s hard not to see this transfer window as the building blocks for Jackson’s first full campaign in charge next season with Sandgaard financially backing him with the new arrivals.
With 14 players out of contract in the summer, expect more of a squad overhaul in the months to come but for now it’s been a transfer window with which Charlton can be largely satisfied.
It’s one which further elucidates the owner’s ambition for the club while simultaneously keeping Charlton fans optimistic for the future.