Under 21s (Match updates and news)

Athletico Charlton said:

Given how poor our keepers have been this season it is perhaps no surprise the two U21 lads are being released given they didn't even get on the bench. Such a shame Beadle and Kone left last summer as I suspect either of them may well have been our number one by the end of this season.

Beadle was number one at Oxford and then Sheffield Wednesday this season. We aren't known for promoting our keepers at the age of 19 (Elliott, Randolph, Pope and AMB to name four internationals who had to wait 'til they were 22 plus). Going to a PL Club enabled him to be loaned out to a club at a higher level than had he stayed with us and next season he will probably be back in the Championship possibly with Wednesday once again.  

Jason Adigun released https://x.com/JasonAdigun/status/1791478280840687627

fenaddick said:

Jason Adigun released https://x.com/JasonAdigun/status/1791478280840687627

What a shame, stood out in many games but he is 21 in December and not got near the first team.

Seemed to impress at Welling so should have a career at least at senior non-league level.

Good luck to Jason.

As has been said 75% of the U21 squad being released so he will be the first of many. Always sad to hear.

That's a real shame.  Hope this doesn't come back to bite us.  Would have liked to have seen him get a game or two at the end of the season for us when we were safe and the likes of Fiorini and Bakinson were getting minutes.
Good luck Adigun.. Promising player.

Crusty54 said:

It is strange that the club is yet to announce the players who are leaving. 

I wonder what steps are being taken to strengthen the under 21s for next season.

I assume it’s because the u21 and u18 seasons finish later than the first team.

A very little bit has leaked I guess so currently as follows I think

Released
Adegoke

Saw Adigun at U18 level and was convinced he'd be the next one to come through but for whatever reason that hasn't quite worked out. Think he'll probably still have a strong professional career though. 

Hope we keep hold of Viggars. Had injury problems this season I believe but when when I saw him in pre season last summer I was impressed.

LargeAddick said:

Hope we keep hold of Viggars. Had injury problems this season I believe but when when I saw him in pre season last summer I was impressed.

I think the only U21 who has played mens football. But not big enough to be a target man, or quick enough to be a striker. More a link man. Puts himself about. Surely worth another year and perhaps a higher loan.

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

Club must be closing the academy! Cut backs.. We're in big trouble! Skint..

shirty5 said:

12 have left the Under 21’s. A big number there in one hit. A bit of stream lining with more first team players and under 18’s involved 

Big group of U16s (12) stepping up to U18.

Successfull U18s step up to U21s.

Squad probably was a bit too big in terms of purely numbers but a lot of those U21s released haven't featured much this seaso

The other way of looking at it is that it leaves room for signings like Maclorg, Cant and Phillips plus some Mount Pleasant lads.

Need @Scoham to give us an updated squad list🤞

DubaiCAFC said:

Club must be closing the academy! Cut backs.. We're in big trouble! Skint..

They're not.

Released
Adegoke

Molyneux
Adigun
Roddy

Bakrin
Ladapo 
Santos
Williams
Viggars
Okechukwu
Dench
Hand

Offered new
Toure
Huke

Retained

Bower

Hobden

Kedwell

It is nice Toure has been offered a new deal as he won the Bolangi award a couple of years back so clearly a good egg and has had injuries in his time with us.  Hope he signs and can push on. 

Huke looked good in the U18s last season with plenty of goals so again seems a sensible one to try to hold onto.

From the little I know of those leaving Adigun and Williams both looked good on the occasion I saw them and I would think have careers in the game; of course good luck to all of them, it must be really tough hearing someone say you are not good enough after the dedication and commitment each will have put in to get this far.

The 3 retained maybe start to get to an age they could do with a loan or some first team time depending on where they are with development.

Overall, reducing the number of kids this way seems sensible as it creates room for those coming through and also room for first teamers out of fitness/form and needing minutes.  

With the slightly older age group I really hope we can tie Leaburn and Mitchell down with longer contracts soon and maybe give Casey an extra year or two as well.

With the younger ones it will be interesting to hear who signs pro.

LargeAddick said:

Henry Irving said:

shirty5 said:

12 have left the Under 21’s. A big number there in one hit. A bit of stream lining with more first team players and under 18’s involved 

Big group of U16s (12) stepping up to U18.

Successfull U18s step up to U21s.

Squad probably was a bit too big in terms of purely numbers but a lot of those U21s released haven't featured much this seaso

The other way of looking at it is that it leaves room for signings like Maclorg, Cant and Phillips plus some Mount Pleasant lads.

Need @Scoham to give us an updated squad list🤞

Have those three signed? Nothing been officially announced has it? 

Maclorg seems to have been here a while.  The others are/were on trial so possible but nothing confirmed.

The club may feel that there are decent players at other clubs we can pick up.