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Kai Enslin signs new long-term contract

fenaddick
fenaddick Posts: 11,074
edited March 21 in General Charlton

Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that academy starlet Kai Enslin has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The versatile 19-year-old impressed on his full debut - a 1-0 Vertu Trophy victory against Bromley in November 2024 - and featured in Saturday’s matchday squad against Wigan Athletic as Charlton made it seven home wins on the spin.

Enslin, who joined the Addicks’ academy at U13 level and penned his first professional contract in the summer of 2023, has starred for Chris Lock’s title-chasing U21s this season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 19 starts.

Manager Nathan Jones said: “We’re delighted to secure Kai. He’s a player that’s come through the academy and shown that he can handle any situation. He’s been excelling for the U21s and he’s been included in our squads. He’s very good technically and he’s a really intelligent footballer who has real versatility. He’s one we’re really excited for.



https://www.charltonafc.com/news/kai-enslin-signs-new-long-term-contract

Comments

  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Nice one.
  • Covered_End_Lad
    Covered_End_Lad Posts: 5,725
    Very happy with this one
  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,625
    I’ll be honest and say I don’t know too much about the lad but everyone seems pleased by this so I am too.
  • Southbank
    Southbank Posts: 5,252
    Great news. A real talent. He reminds me a bit of Jack Grealish in terms of playing style.
  • charltonbob
    charltonbob Posts: 8,260
    New long term contract but doesn't say how long ?
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,074
    New long term contract but doesn't say how long ?
    The club rarely say how long these days. I guess in an attempt to stop everyone panicking when there's 6 months left on it
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Whether he eventually makes it or not, the great leap and all that, what I will say about Kai this last year is he has been consistent, and for 90% of the time consistently good.
    I am not a reliable judge because I thought Elewere was nailed on, mind you Elewere is still a credible pro footballer.
    As well as Kai we have others able to play at his kind of level…as I say the breakthrough into men’s football is the hardest step of all.
    Just to plant a seed, look out for young midfielder Manu Wales coming through, he has to bulk up mind you.
  • Leuth
    Leuth Posts: 23,319
    Where would Enslin fit in our current formation? I'm guessing there are a few options... 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,074
    Leuth said:
    Where would Enslin fit in our current formation? I'm guessing there are a few options... 
    Haven't watched too much U21s this year so others will be able to say more definitively but think his versatility is part of his strength. Think he would naturally play the Berry role but has played LWB before too
  • Southbank
    Southbank Posts: 5,252
    seth plum said:
    Whether he eventually makes it or not, the great leap and all that, what I will say about Kai this last year is he has been consistent, and for 90% of the time consistently good.
    I am not a reliable judge because I thought Elewere was nailed on, mind you Elewere is still a credible pro footballer.
    As well as Kai we have others able to play at his kind of level…as I say the breakthrough into men’s football is the hardest step of all.
    Just to plant a seed, look out for young midfielder Manu Wales coming through, he has to bulk up mind you.
    Elerewe
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  • DyerConsequences
    DyerConsequences Posts: 2,629
    Kai has been good most of the times I've seen him the past couple of years for the under 21's and considering the variety of positions he's been played in that is a testament to him. Hopefully one of a few that there are certainly hopes for over the next few years. Enslin, Mwamba, Wales, Fullah, Sol-Loza. He's also eligible for Japan, have we ever had a Japanese international?
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    edited March 21
    He is principally (so far) an attacking midfielder usually played on the leftish hand side.
    Not all action like Anderson, more silky skill and deception and perception, with confident close control.
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Southbank said:
    seth plum said:
    Whether he eventually makes it or not, the great leap and all that, what I will say about Kai this last year is he has been consistent, and for 90% of the time consistently good.
    I am not a reliable judge because I thought Elewere was nailed on, mind you Elewere is still a credible pro footballer.
    As well as Kai we have others able to play at his kind of level…as I say the breakthrough into men’s football is the hardest step of all.
    Just to plant a seed, look out for young midfielder Manu Wales coming through, he has to bulk up mind you.
    Elerewe
    Yep. My bad.
  • SantaClaus
    SantaClaus Posts: 7,658
    Back in the Premier League years we almost signed the Brazilian-Japanese player Alex. I think a denied work permit scuppered the deal.
  • Fanny Fanackapan
    Fanny Fanackapan Posts: 18,738
    Well deserved contract for Kai.

    Onwards & upwards, young man ! 
  • Walkingred
    Walkingred Posts: 94
    Is it possible that the trend of our promising youngsters signing long term deals before they establish themselves as a first team option, a conscious decision by the board? I think it's a great idea, so often it seemed players would break through with only a year or so left and agents would advise them to keep their options open.
  • Good news.  I hope he establishes himself in our first team.
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,794
    Kai has been good most of the times I've seen him the past couple of years for the under 21's and considering the variety of positions he's been played in that is a testament to him. Hopefully one of a few that there are certainly hopes for over the next few years. Enslin, Mwamba, Wales, Fullah, Sol-Loza. He's also eligible for Japan, have we ever had a Japanese international?
    Signed Alex but he couldn’t get a work permit. 
  • Addick Addict
    Addick Addict Posts: 39,794
    Kai has been good most of the times I've seen him the past couple of years for the under 21's and considering the variety of positions he's been played in that is a testament to him. Hopefully one of a few that there are certainly hopes for over the next few years. Enslin, Mwamba, Wales, Fullah, Sol-Loza. He's also eligible for Japan, have we ever had a Japanese international?
    Signed Alex but he couldn’t get a work permit. 
    I'm really not surprised. He could have been any old "Alex" for all the authorities knew. 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,074
    Is it possible that the trend of our promising youngsters signing long term deals before they establish themselves as a first team option, a conscious decision by the board? I think it's a great idea, so often it seemed players would break through with only a year or so left and agents would advise them to keep their options open.
    It's a very clear strategy and a promising one in my opinion. They might get other things wrong but I'd argue that their handling of the academy has been pretty good so far
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  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,854
    It's a difficult balance to get right, as you can't sign every youngster on a long contract just in case they come good, but we seem to be doing it well at the moment. 

    Interesting that the quote is from Jones rather than Roswell. Previously it would have been from Scott.
  • Hal1x
    Hal1x Posts: 4,265
    How long?


  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,380
    Great news. I started watching the u21 streams this season and he stood out early on as a good all rounder early on. Comfortable on the ball, will take players on, but passes and crosses well too. He gets goals and assists at u21 level. He’s played well consistently at that level which is why he’s pushing closer to the first team and won a long term contract.

    Being left footed and very versatile will only help his chances of making it. When he signed pro 2 years ago the club called him a player who likes to operate on the right. This season he’s mainly played left wing back, and as with his first team debut he’s also played central midfield. There was one game he played left CB in a back 3, and I think he probably went up front briefly towards the end of the odd game to fill in.

    On the u21s, there’s a clear strategy with presumably even more to it behind the scenes. They play 3-5-2, matching the first team, and they don’t mind going direct when the opportunity is there, they don’t play the tippy tappy stuff that’s probably become more common in academies in the last decade or two. They’ve gone with a small squad which naturally means more game time with good fitness levels being required, and players haven’t been loaned out, other than those who have progressed beyond that level (Asiimwe and Zach Mitchell). We’ve brought in Dave Huzzey as Individual Development Coach, originally James Brayne’s role, to help bridge the gap between the academy and first team.

    I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the next few years. I get the concerns about the academy part of the 888 strategy, but I can see what they’re aiming for longer term - a big if, but if we do a better job at developing players the academy should provide players who can add cover to the squad, and in time become regulars. If we get it right then we won’t need many journeyman types who “do a job” as squad players, and will be more expensive than u21s.

    The other aspect as mentioned above is getting players signed up long term before they’re established in the first team. That’ll be harder if another Lookman or Gomez comes through and can comfortably be thrown in at 17/18, but it should be achievable for most players who need that time at u21 to develop. I believe the next four who are closest are Enslin, Mitchell, Laqeretabua and Dixon, and all have signed long term deals this season. Players like Mwamba and Fullah will be looking to follow them over the next year or so.

    On Manu Wales who Seth mentioned, he’s one to be patient with. He’s still eligible for the u18s so is a few years behind Enslin, and as said will need to bulk up. It was quickly clearly he’s a good footballer, like a slight Spanish midfielder in style, capable of gliding with the ball, close control, passes and moves well. I expect he’ll get the chance to have a year of regular u21 football next season, with space freed up as players such as Enslin move up, and some of the older u21s are released.
  • Good. I’ve been very impressed with him in the U21 games I’ve seen this season. 
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,228
    Excellent player, excellent news.
  • Stefan17
    Stefan17 Posts: 1
    Good news - The Whyteleafe Wizard is a very good player and brings something different, especially his creativity and vision, though he has many footballing attributes. He made a name for himself playing with AFC Whyteleafe Youth in the Tandridge and Kent Youth leagues, scoring eight goals in one game in the KYL v Hollands & Blair FC. A lot of chatter about him then and good to see him progress.

    Hoping he keeps pushing on for Charlton and that many more defences will be left spellbound by his wizardry!