Academy squad update

clive

The following U21s players, whose contracts are set to expire this summer, have not been offered a new contract:

Prince Adegoke, Jason Adigun, Nazir Bakrin, Matt Dench, Ralfi Hand, Tolu Ladapo, Henry Molyneux, Chibike Okechukwu, Jacob Roddy, Jeremy Santos, Ryan Viggars, Euan Williams.

The following U18s players will leave the club this summer:

James Batt, Mikey Berry, David Danso, Brook Myers, Harmony Okwumo, Jadon Yamoah.

James Batt, Chibike Okechukwu and Ryan Viggars will return to Charlton in July to continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries. Once fit, they will leave the club.

https://www.charltonafc.com/news/mens-academy-squad-update

SDAddick

Always appreciate the club allowing players to return to rehab long term injuries.

As a very casual observer of the youth teams, the only one that surprised me was Molyneux. Seemed to be highly rated, believe he's 18/9, and at one point was third choice keeper at the club last year. That says far more about the goalkeeper depth at the club than it does about him, but still.

Keeper does remain the position where I worry about depth, especially since it seemed to be a real position of strength in the youth teams a couple years ago. A lot of that is having youth players move, namely Beedle and Kone. Thus is the nature of modern football, but man, Beedle looks good.

Swisdom

Of the U21's there are a couple that will probably go on and have decent careers - Adigun certainly.  Euan Williams is a shame - he's got so much ability but just can't stay fit and was probably overplayed when he was younger.  Bakrin is a little bit awkward but was pretty much on a par with Elerewe for ability.  
Santos went on loan to Tonbridge, got a bad injury and whenever I saw him after that he looks really heavy
Molyneux - I got chatting to his mum a while back and he was on the cusp of the young England rugby squad a few years back but came back into football.  Clearly a good athlete so hopefully he will go on
Adegoke I was never convinced with at all.  

Of those U18's I'm gutten about Brook Myers because he has so much ability but apparently the issue is what's between his ears and his attitude that gors against him.  If he can get that sorted I think he'll be a hell of a player.

I wish them all the best

Bostonaddick

It is pretty clear from the u21 results this year that any of the kids in that age group with upside potential were already in the mix with the senior squad.  The rest of them had the look of non league players.  The only one that is a little disappointing is Adigun.  Going back a couple years, most of us would have thought he would be on the verge of breaking into the main squad by now but he hasn’t developed as quickly as the likes of Anderson and Kanu

seth plum

There looks like a big re shaping going on. Surprised about Adigun, and I suppose the thinking about retaining Toure is he’s big and powerful.

killerandflash

Quite a clearout, but when you consider the number of academy players now part of the 1st team squad, or on the fringes, still a very good return.

Raith_C_Chattonell

I noticed this from Richard Cawley the other day and thought the related topics were rubbing it in a bit.

Swisdom

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

fenaddick

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

Surely this is why we’re seeing lots of U21s released? U16s push up to U18 who in turn push up to U21. Feels like if you’re not in and around the first team squad by about 19/20 you’re likely to be released 

CoveredEndAndy

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

That cannot be Grapevine on here that would of taken 3 pages to say that. 

Addick Addict

As has been said, it is a pity injuries prevented Euan Williams from showing us his potential. Even more sadly, both Euan and Richard Chin have had exactly the same journey - same age, same junior club, same school, same pro club, same end. Hopefully both will still have a career in football if that is what they still want. 

No news of a contract extension for Zach Mitchell? 

cantersaddick

Bye Roddy. Thanks for the memories.

Scoham

Addick Addict said:

As has been said, it is a pity injuries prevented Euan Williams from showing us his potential. Even more sadly, both Euan and Richard Chin have had exactly the same journey - same age, same junior club, same school, same pro club, same end. Hopefully both will still have a career in football if that is what they still want. 

No news of a contract extension for Zach Mitchell? 

They haven’t mentioned those still under contract, which includes Mitchell. He has another year.

ForeverAddickted

Hope that Matt Dench finds something.

Must have been difficult in the first place, coming out from Australia to try and make it in Professional Football - Hope the sacrifices haven't ended up being a waste for him.

Todds_right_hook

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

I’m glad @Grapevine49 told you rather than posting it, you would still be reading it 😂

Todds_right_hook

Todds_right_hook said:

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

I’m glad @Grapevine49 told you rather than posting it, you would still be reading it 😂

Or what @CoveredEndAndy posted 2 hours ago 😡

Todds_right_hook

cantersaddick said:

Bye Roddy. Thanks for the memories.

He had a three year deal?

some kids go to uni for 3 years, he got to call himself a pro footballer instead!

LoOkOuT

Sorry to see young Jacob Roddy going.

But looks like we’re in for a treat with young Andrew Scott Jr joining the club!

Athletico Charlton

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

Sounds great. Let's hope they all sign professional in a year or two then. Promotion to the Championship may be even more important this season to be able to compete for their signatures.

MarcusH26

I didn't get a chance to watch the U16s final , is there anyone that really really stuck out from that side?

seth plum

MarcusH26 said:

I didn't get a chance to watch the U16s final , is there anyone that really really stuck out from that side?

Yes there were a few. I am loathe to name any names however because the route from here on in for those players I saw in that final will feature up’s and downs.

Personally whilst I have never doubted players as obvious as Gomez, Konsa and Leaburn for example, I have had too high expectations with regard to Ladapo, Adigun, Bakrin and some others.

Certainties are almost impossible to flag up in Academy football, nevertheless I believe we still have a number of diamonds in the rough waiting to sparkle.
It is our USP.

Crusty54

fenaddick said:

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

Surely this is why we’re seeing lots of U21s released? U16s push up to U18 who in turn push up to U21. Feels like if you’re not in and around the first team squad by about 19/20 you’re likely to be released 

One of the parents of an under 18 player told me at a recent game that the squad has been told the majority of them will not be moving up to the under 21s.

Athletico Charlton

Crusty54 said:

fenaddick said:

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

Surely this is why we’re seeing lots of U21s released? U16s push up to U18 who in turn push up to U21. Feels like if you’re not in and around the first team squad by about 19/20 you’re likely to be released 

One of the parents of an under 18 player told me at a recent game that the squad has been told the majority of them will not be moving up to the under 21s.

Straight to the first team?

Henry Irving

Crusty54 said:

fenaddick said:

Swisdom said:

Interestingly the grapevine tells me that the current crop of U16's is the best we've ever had with 3 current England Internationals so it's clearly very competitive in that environment

Surely this is why we’re seeing lots of U21s released? U16s push up to U18 who in turn push up to U21. Feels like if you’re not in and around the first team squad by about 19/20 you’re likely to be released 

One of the parents of an under 18 player told me at a recent game that the squad has been told the majority of them will not be moving up to the under 21s.

Only six named as released on the OS.

Paddy Powell

Casey, Rylah, Enslin, Laqeretabua and Gough are the five second year scholars who are signed and will move up (too old for U18).

Mason Hunter is only player from that year whose status I don't know. He's not on any released list, so possibly signed (If he is, I missed it).

All other second years are named on that released list.

Athletico Charlton

Paddy Powell said:

Casey, Rylah, Enslin, Laqeretabua and Gough are the five second year scholars who are signed and will move up (too old for U18).

Mason Hunter is only player from that year whose status I don't know. He's not on any released list, so possibly signed (If he is, I missed it).

All other second years are named on that released list.

5 U18's signing pro still sounds like a comparatively decent number I think.  Last year was unusual in that I think all got one.

Kap10

Always sad to see these releases.  For many of the kids released around the country its the end of a dream and they can be ill prepared for that despite the education that clubs give them.  some will make it back through the non league route and make a decent living through football.

Wishing them all the very best for the rest of their lives and hope someone is there for them as their journey, whilst diverted, continues.  Its not the end of the world, just the beginning!!

Chunes

Roddy released. Can't believe we've let our first choice left-back leave on a free

Henry Irving

Was given a copy of the 2023/24 Academy Handbook today for the museum.

This is issued to all players and parents and sets out the rules and expectations and covers nutrition, safeguarding and a lot of other areas.

A couple of extracts here.

Henry Irving

Henry Irving