Opinion: Charlton Athletic should eye loan-listed Blackburn Rovers man amid exit confirmations

06/05/2024 16:01

Charlton Athletic are in for a busy summer after confirming a number of player exits upon the announcement of their retained list.

Charlton Athletic will be letting go of several first-team players this summer. Nathan Jones will be keen to add some new faces to his ranks and those departing will need to be replaced.

One area looking somewhat bare following the retained list announcement is centre-back.

Michael Hector and Terell Thomas are both moving on from The Valley when their deals end, leaving Macaulay Gillesphey, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Lloyd Jones and Lucas Ness as the current options in the heart of defence.

It means at least one more will be needed this summer, and news of Connor O’Riordan’s availability should pique the interests of Charlton Athletic…

A loan move awaits

Championship side Blackburn Rovers only signed O’Riordan on loan from Crewe Alexandra in January. He’d become a standout performer with the League Two club but regular game time has eluded the centre-back since his Ewood Park switch.

As such, Rovers are said to be eyeing a loan exit for O’Riordan. Writing on his Patreon, reporter Alan Nixon has said the 20-year-old is being lined up for a move in the early stages of the summer window.

That should put Jones and co at The Valley on alert.

O’Riordan is a towering presence at the back and with Crewe, he looked a level above in League Two. It means League One will be the ideal destination for him, and Charlton Athletic could be a great place for him to develop.

The Addicks are going to be looking higher up the League One table under Jones and the atmosphere is far more positive. It could make South London a great place for the Blackburn Rovers prospect to develop.

With the current limit of options at the back, O’Riordan would be in with a good chance of nailing down a starting spot and getting the game time he requires.

Time will tell where O’Riordan ends up, but Charlton Athletic should register their interest and if they do, Blackburn Rovers should considering sending him there.

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