CHARLTON boss Chris Powell has said he wants to keep Therry Racon and Jose Semedo at The Valley.
Both players are out of contract in the summer but the pair have voiced their desire to stay in SE7.
If the duo are offered new terms it is expected to involve a cut in the wages they are currently on - those terms were agreed when the Addicks were still in the Championship.
And Powell fears there will be competition for the signatures of the duo, both 26.
“We’d love to keep a player of Therry’s quality but he is in a strong position,” said the Charlton boss. “He can weigh up offers with his advisors and pick the best one.
“That is tough for us. We can compete with most clubs in League One but not all - there are a few teams with bigger budgets.
“A player like Therry will be an attraction for Championship clubs and I would say that they are financially stronger.”
Semedo and Racon have both been linked with Palace but Eagles insiders have rubbished talk they are interested.
“Jose’s exactly the same,” said Powell.
“I would love to keep him but I understand he’ll talk to his family.
“If either has agreed something with someone else we won’t be privy to that until they decide they are ready to announce it and move on.
“We will speak and see if we have a chance. I’m sure there is, because they are two guys who have grown in English football and done that with us but obviously they want the best for their careers. We will have to listen to what they have to say.”
http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/Sport.cfm?id=16322&headline=Addicks
An interesting quote there suggesting we won't have the biggest budget in League 1 "We can compete with most clubs in League One but not all - there are a few teams with bigger budgets."
Comments
@ISawLeaburnScore (Just testing the new facility!)
Preston will probably have a few bob too.
I think that Hemmings guy who owned the Grand National winner has ties there.
I think a lot of people need to ready themselves to be underwhelmed by our summer signings. Some of the names being mentioned are way out of reach imo but I still think that there will be decent enough players to be had, on reduced terms, especially in today's financial climate.
The Semedo/Racon situation is very difficult. Is Powell's coaching starting to take hold of them or do we need a clean sweep. I personally think it'll be taken out of our hands and they'll move up a division, with the likes of Palace and Millwall possible destinations.
Plus, hopefully we have learnt from Pardews era of paying big wages (Moo2,McLeod,Varney, Sinclair,Gray,Christensen)
@ISawLeaburnScore
ok just checking
Both have the quality to suggest they could play above League 1.
However in Racon's case he has not shown it enough over the last couple of years and is not good enough as a CM in a 4 man midfield imho if we want to be challenging for the top two. I have little doubt he could go somewhere and flourish but would not be too sad to see him go. CM has been a big problem for a number of years and Racon has been a part of that.
Find it hard to be objective about Semedo as he is by far my fave player of the last few years, love the guy and tend to ignore his weaknesses with my Semedo love rose tinted specs on.
Certainly dont think Racons been to blame for our problems in CM.
With Racon in starting lineup this season (all competitions): won 18, lost 13. That must be way better than our avarage player stats.
Last season: won 19, lost 9
08/09:(he came back from injury when we were rock bottom) won 4, lost 7
At that time, Racon was not very effective when he actually did play ......and the team was on a run of 4 wins on the trot.
To be fair to Powell, Racon has upped his game considerably since his return to the team.
Perhaps the manager (and Racon, of course) should get some credit for that?
oggy red has been practising how to use the new facilities
It was my first time on the new CL, and I couldn't find how to quote - so just got creative!