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Zach Mitchell - Sept 2026 out for the rest of the season (p35)
Comments
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ZM seems to be having a good spell at St Johnstone, personally I am happy for the young man and thisnis exactly what his career needed. I had my doubts but onnthis occasion (as mentioned previously) am happy to be proven wrong. It does raise a question about his future though, is it woth us or elsewhere?2
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If he has a decent spell this year at St Johnstone, what shall we do? Do we try and sign him up for more years or do we decide we can get better in the door. Louis Mendez made a good point about the likes of Anderson and Kanu taht they havent done anything wrong its just the club has evolved quicker than them, could be true for ZM?1
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I imagine we’ll take up the 1 year option taking his contract to 2028 and decide whether we offer him a new deal or sell him as we did with Anderson.
He’ll probably want regular first team football, which seems very unlikely here at this stage.
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Please forgive him if he acts a little strangeAddick Addict said:Sweet revenge for Mitchell today. He played all of the game in St Johnstone's 2-1 win against Hibs and their manager who refused to play him, David Gray, when he was on loan there last season. This meant that St Johnstone have won their first two home games in the Premiership for the first time since 2017-18.
According to the BBC:When the players went over to greet the very few fans left, they were met with a cacophony of boos which pierced through the jubilant cheers in the home crowd.
Gray cut a lonely figure as he headed down the tunnel, with more questions than answers surely burling in his mind.
Gray won't be the only person gutted that Mitchell came back to haunt him!
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Didn’t play last night due to injury, let’s hope it’s nothing major1
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According to their manager, it was precautionary:fenaddick said:Didn’t play last night due to injury, let’s hope it’s nothing majorSt Johnstone boss, Simo Valakari has explained his thought process in leaving Zach Mitchell out of Wednesday night’s clash with Celtic.
The on-loan Charlton Athletic defender played every minute of Saints’ previous five Premiership matches alongside Cheick Diabate.
Their partnership has been a key part of the Perth side’s good start to the season.
Valakari, though, is mindful of the hamstring injuries Mitchell has suffered in his career so far – one of them in his first loan spell at McDiarmid Park.
So, when the 21-year-old revealed he felt on the morning of the Celtic match that there could be an issue, the head coach decided not to risk him.
“Zach didn’t play much football last season,” said Valakari. “And he missed half of our pre-season.
“He played three full matches in a short period of time (Hearts, Dundee and Hibs).
“He felt it (his hamstring).
“It was precautionary.”
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Hibs sack David Gray following six successive home game defeat. If only he could have taken a good, young centre back on loan.Addick Addict said:Sweet revenge for Mitchell today. He played all of the game in St Johnstone's 2-1 win against Hibs and their manager who refused to play him, David Gray, when he was on loan there last season. This meant that St Johnstone have won their first two home games in the Premiership for the first time since 2017-18.
According to the BBC:When the players went over to greet the very few fans left, they were met with a cacophony of boos which pierced through the jubilant cheers in the home crowd.
Gray cut a lonely figure as he headed down the tunnel, with more questions than answers surely burling in his mind.
Gray won't be the only person gutted that Mitchell came back to haunt him!
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Think he has done an ACL0
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FFS0
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Such a pity for the young man, just as he was getting soem game time. I can't see him getting a new contract with us now.1
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The official St Johnstone match report called it a knock but he did leave on crutches. Hopefully it isn’t too serious2
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A serious injury at this stage of his career would be heartbreaking for the lad.
Fingers crossed it's not.4 -
Just read on a scotish football forum, rumours that ACL done and thats him for rest of the season. Such a shame as he was getting a run of games and showing some good form over a prolonged period. Was really hopeful this would work out for him and he could become an asset for us.
Think it may be a case he has to rebuild from next season maybe at L1 or L2 level.1 -
Zach is back at the Charlton and having more scans though the inference is that it doesn't look good for him. He hasn't been able to buy one bit of luck in the last three years whether it's injury or managers stunting his growth by not playing him.8
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Absolutely heartbreaking for Zach.
I can't imagine what he's going through after so many previous setbacks.
But it's good to hear he's back home now - both footballing wise & with his close family to support him.
Sending him every good wish for his recovery & hoping it's not as serious as first thought.
And assuring him he's in our hearts & thoughts.
Bless his cotton socks.9 -
Is the option for another season on his contract with us or him ?0
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The 19-year-old defender, who joined the Addicks as an U7, has put pen-to-paper on a deal until 2027, with a club option of an extra year.Radostanradical said:Is the option for another season on his contract with us or him ?
https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/zach-mitchell-signs-new-long-term-contract0 -
Phew!fenaddick said:
The 19-year-old defender, who joined the Addicks as an U7, has put pen-to-paper on a deal until 2027, with a club option of an extra year.Radostanradical said:Is the option for another season on his contract with us or him ?
https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/zach-mitchell-signs-new-long-term-contract2 -
Fair enough I suspect that will be him done with us, been unlucky with injures, managerd preferring other players and also to be fair his own performances at times.fenaddick said:
The 19-year-old defender, who joined the Addicks as an U7, has put pen-to-paper on a deal until 2027, with a club option of an extra year.Radostanradical said:Is the option for another season on his contract with us or him ?
https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/zach-mitchell-signs-new-long-term-contract
As said though it could be a good thing for him to rop a level or 2 and build back up similsr how players like Arter or Deji had to do who obviously went on to have fine careers.0 -
I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky5
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Disagree respectfully, he has had chances and failed to take them. Yes he has bad luck with injuries but we are a championship club and he isnt going to start (or even be part of squad in all likelihood) for us next season, giving him an extra year would just be delaying the inevitable and probably damage ZM career when he could drop a level and play regular football.Swisdom said:I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky
Similar to Anderson in some aspects that whilst there is a player there, the club is maybe growing faster than what is best for the player.6 -
So, just to be clear (and accepting that you do not rate him and think he's been a failure), you wouldn't take up the option of another year thereby letting Michell go on a free with zero compensation payable to the Club? Whereas giving him that extra year, allowing him to go out on loan for a net cost of next to nothing to the Club might actually result in a fee/compensation. And it's not the same as Anderson because we did receive a fee for him.Radostanradical said:
Disagree respectfully, he has had chances and failed to take them. Yes he has bad luck with injuries but we are a championship club and he isnt going to start (or even be part of squad in all likelihood) for us next season, giving him an extra year would just be delaying the inevitable and probably damage ZM career when he could drop a level and play regular football.Swisdom said:I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky
Similar to Anderson in some aspects that whilst there is a player there, the club is maybe growing faster than what is best for the player.4 -
Well, if you had actually taken the time to read what I wrote rather than immediately looking for an argument, you would have noticed that my comparison was never about the transfer fee. The comparison was about circumstance. In both cases, there is a perfectly decent player at a club that is progressing at a faster rate than they are. As a result, we are simply not in a position to provide either player with the opportunities and experience they need at what is a pivotal stage of their careers.Addick Addict said:
So, just to be clear (and accepting that you do not rate him and think he's been a failure), you wouldn't take up the option of another year thereby letting Michell go on a free with zero compensation payable to the Club? Whereas giving him that extra year, allowing him to go out on loan for a net cost of next to nothing to the Club might actually result in a fee/compensation. And it's not the same as Anderson because we did receive a fee for him.Radostanradical said:
Disagree respectfully, he has had chances and failed to take them. Yes he has bad luck with injuries but we are a championship club and he isnt going to start (or even be part of squad in all likelihood) for us next season, giving him an extra year would just be delaying the inevitable and probably damage ZM career when he could drop a level and play regular football.Swisdom said:I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky
Similar to Anderson in some aspects that whilst there is a player there, the club is maybe growing faster than what is best for the player.
As for your erroneous assertion that I view ZM as a failure, that is an extraordinarily harsh characterisation, and not language I would choose to use. In fact, I would suggest being rather more careful with terms like that. He is a human being, not merely an asset to be assessed in purely transactional terms, and a little consideration from yourself for his wellbeing would not go amiss.
What I actually said is that I do not believe he is currently at the standard required for us, nor do I think that is likely to change by next season. Given that he would be out of contract in the summer, I sincerely doubt we would receive any meaningful fee for him in any case. Frankly, it would probably be better for both parties if he were allowed to move on and secure a longer-term contract elsewhere, where he can enjoy some stability and continue his development without the uncertainty that comes with being on the fringes of a club that has outgrown him.5 -
Lyle, please do not insult the good people of Charlton Life by claiming that you give two hoots about Mitchell. When I pointed out how the Club had a duty of care in looking after Mitchell at Hibs, following the Colchester debacle, you were the one who had zero sympathy for the lad when he wasn't getting a game for Hibs. You dug yourself a massive hole then and have been on a "charm offensive" since in trying to dig yourself out of that. No one is fooled.Radostanradical said:
Well, if you had actually taken the time to read what I wrote rather than immediately looking for an argument, you would have noticed that my comparison was never about the transfer fee. The comparison was about circumstance. In both cases, there is a perfectly decent player at a club that is progressing at a faster rate than they are. As a result, we are simply not in a position to provide either player with the opportunities and experience they need at what is a pivotal stage of their careers.Addick Addict said:
So, just to be clear (and accepting that you do not rate him and think he's been a failure), you wouldn't take up the option of another year thereby letting Michell go on a free with zero compensation payable to the Club? Whereas giving him that extra year, allowing him to go out on loan for a net cost of next to nothing to the Club might actually result in a fee/compensation. And it's not the same as Anderson because we did receive a fee for him.Radostanradical said:
Disagree respectfully, he has had chances and failed to take them. Yes he has bad luck with injuries but we are a championship club and he isnt going to start (or even be part of squad in all likelihood) for us next season, giving him an extra year would just be delaying the inevitable and probably damage ZM career when he could drop a level and play regular football.Swisdom said:I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky
Similar to Anderson in some aspects that whilst there is a player there, the club is maybe growing faster than what is best for the player.
As for your erroneous assertion that I view ZM as a failure, that is an extraordinarily harsh characterisation, and not language I would choose to use. In fact, I would suggest being rather more careful with terms like that. He is a human being, not merely an asset to be assessed in purely transactional terms, and a little consideration from yourself for his wellbeing would not go amiss.
What I actually said is that I do not believe he is currently at the standard required for us, nor do I think that is likely to change by next season. Given that he would be out of contract in the summer, I sincerely doubt we would receive any meaningful fee for him in any case. Frankly, it would probably be better for both parties if he were allowed to move on and secure a longer-term contract elsewhere, where he can enjoy some stability and continue his development without the uncertainty that comes with being on the fringes of a club that has outgrown him.
You were the one who claimed, despite evidence to the contrary provided by Hibs's fans, that the now sacked David Gray, for his abject failure as a manager, knew what he was doing in not giving Mitchell a game. You said (your spelling not mine): "The fact of the matter is if he was good enough he wpuld be playing at Hibs and he isnt. I hope itbworks out but its clearly on him.to prove himself at senior level." He'd already proven himself "good enough" in his previous loan at St Johnstone and was doing so again this season until he received this seemingly horrendous injury. How great it was to see Mitchell celebrating that win over his former manager just a matter of days before Gray was sacked proving, yet again, that he was "good enough" to be playing at that level.
Thank you for confirming, though, Lyle, that you see no value in either giving Mitchell an extension that would either lead to him proving himself or compensation to the Club if he is moved on. There is a whole ongoing thread about Patrick Casey and what level of compensation we should receive - and he's played two minutes of football above non-league level. Giving Mitchell that year's contract and another opportunity on loan, at nil cost to us, would enable us to make a final assessment on the lad and give the Club some compensation for allowing him to develop through our age group system should we decide to permit him permanently to leave in, say, January, if that is deemed right for all parties.
Lyle, you really must try harder. But it will still never be hard enough to get me to rise to the bait again. I will do what most of the rest of the people on here do. Ignore you. Apart from giving you a "LOL" because, let's face it, most of what you write is quite amusing!!!!3 -
Well done. "Lyle", very original. Unfortunately, originality seems in rather short supply when your entire argument consists of recycling the same tired points while conveniently ignoring the parts of my posts that prove you wrong.Addick Addict said:
Lyle, please do not insult the good people of Charlton Life by claiming that you give two hoots about Mitchell. When I pointed out how the Club had a duty of care in looking after Mitchell at Hibs, following the Colchester debacle, you were the one who had zero sympathy for the lad when he wasn't getting a game for Hibs. You dug yourself a massive hole then and have been on a "charm offensive" since in trying to dig yourself out of that. No one is fooled.Radostanradical said:
Well, if you had actually taken the time to read what I wrote rather than immediately looking for an argument, you would have noticed that my comparison was never about the transfer fee. The comparison was about circumstance. In both cases, there is a perfectly decent player at a club that is progressing at a faster rate than they are. As a result, we are simply not in a position to provide either player with the opportunities and experience they need at what is a pivotal stage of their careers.Addick Addict said:
So, just to be clear (and accepting that you do not rate him and think he's been a failure), you wouldn't take up the option of another year thereby letting Michell go on a free with zero compensation payable to the Club? Whereas giving him that extra year, allowing him to go out on loan for a net cost of next to nothing to the Club might actually result in a fee/compensation. And it's not the same as Anderson because we did receive a fee for him.Radostanradical said:
Disagree respectfully, he has had chances and failed to take them. Yes he has bad luck with injuries but we are a championship club and he isnt going to start (or even be part of squad in all likelihood) for us next season, giving him an extra year would just be delaying the inevitable and probably damage ZM career when he could drop a level and play regular football.Swisdom said:I hope we give him all the support he needs and maybe even another years contract. So much potential but been horrendously unlucky
Similar to Anderson in some aspects that whilst there is a player there, the club is maybe growing faster than what is best for the player.
As for your erroneous assertion that I view ZM as a failure, that is an extraordinarily harsh characterisation, and not language I would choose to use. In fact, I would suggest being rather more careful with terms like that. He is a human being, not merely an asset to be assessed in purely transactional terms, and a little consideration from yourself for his wellbeing would not go amiss.
What I actually said is that I do not believe he is currently at the standard required for us, nor do I think that is likely to change by next season. Given that he would be out of contract in the summer, I sincerely doubt we would receive any meaningful fee for him in any case. Frankly, it would probably be better for both parties if he were allowed to move on and secure a longer-term contract elsewhere, where he can enjoy some stability and continue his development without the uncertainty that comes with being on the fringes of a club that has outgrown him.
You were the one who claimed, despite evidence to the contrary provided by Hibs's fans, that the now sacked David Gray, for his abject failure as a manager, knew what he was doing in not giving Mitchell a game. You said (your spelling not mine): "The fact of the matter is if he was good enough he wpuld be playing at Hibs and he isnt. I hope itbworks out but its clearly on him.to prove himself at senior level." He'd already proven himself "good enough" in his previous loan at St Johnstone and was doing so again this season until he received this seemingly horrendous injury. How great it was to see Mitchell celebrating that win over his former manager just a matter of days before Gray was sacked proving, yet again, that he was "good enough" to be playing at that level.
Thank you for confirming, though, Lyle, that you see no value in either giving Mitchell an extension that would either lead to him proving himself or compensation to the Club if he is moved on. There is a whole ongoing thread about Patrick Casey and what level of compensation we should receive - and he's played two minutes of football above non-league level. Giving Mitchell that year's contract and another opportunity on loan, at nil cost to us, would enable us to make a final assessment on the lad and give the Club some compensation for allowing him to develop through our age group system should we decide to permit him permanently to leave in, say, January, if that is deemed right for all parties.
Lyle, you really must try harder. But it will still never be hard enough to get me to rise to the bait again. I will do what most of the rest of the people on here do. Ignore you. Apart from giving you a "LOL" because, let's face it, most of what you write is quite amusing!!!!
You remain so fixated on what I write that you've once again resorted to misrepresenting my position, much as you did with the comparison between ZM and Anderson. Unsurprisingly, now that your mischaracterisation has been pointed out, you've decided not to address it.
As for Hibs, I stand by what I said then and I stand by it now. Managers whose jobs depend on winning football matches tend to pick the players they believe give them the best chance of doing so. If Mitchell was consistently outperforming the alternatives in training, I find it difficult to believe he would have been ignored indefinitely. You're perfectly entitled to disagree, but one win over Hibs is hardly the devastating piece of evidence you seem to think it is.
In any case, it's history. Mitchell has moved on. I would suggest you try doing the same.
Thank you, once again, for choosing to focus on spelling rather than substance. As I explained previously, I am dyslexic. Every time you make these little remarks you merely demonstrate that, when the footballing argument isn't going your way, personal digs become your fallback position. It reflects rather poorly on you. I sincerely hope none of your family or friends suffer from dyselxia, if this is how you choice to act.
On the actual point under discussion, do you genuinely believe Mitchell will be good enough to be our starting centre-back next season? Personally, I don't. That's an opinion, not a declaration of fact. I may be wrong. Unlike some people, I can accept that reasonable people can hold different views.
More broadly, you seem completely incapable of accepting that somebody can disagree with you without constructing an elaborate narrative around their motives. Not everyone who disagrees with you is acting in bad faith.
At this point, I think you'd be better served putting down the bottle, stepping away from my posts, and spending your energy elsewhere. You seem far more invested in arguing with me than I am in arguing with you. The irony is that, while accusing me of attention-seeking, you're the one repeatedly writing essays about comments I made months ago.
And let's be honest, the reason these exchanges never go anywhere is that forums provide a layer of comfort that real life does not. You happily make comments from behind a keyboard that I strongly suspect you'd never have the courage to say to my face. Fortunately for both of us, internet forums are for discussing football, not measuring who can be the most perpetually offended by somebody else's opinion.4 -
Charlton Athletic providing ongoing care and doing the right thing by a fine young footballer in Zach Mitchell will not only help Zach’s recovery, but provide an example to other players and their families that as a club once we embrace a young player they will be looked after properly and not simply be a commodity or a unit or a number on a balance sheet, but a human being.14
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100% my thoughts.jose said:Charlton Athletic providing ongoing care and doing the right thing by a fine young footballer in Zach Mitchell will not only help Zach’s recovery, but provide an example to other players and their families that as a club once we embrace a young player they will be looked after properly and not simply be a commodity or a unit or a number on a balance sheet, but a human being.6 -
Probably activate the club option just because of the injury. Someone that I'm not sure is ever quite going to break through with us mainly due to the emergence of Keenan Gough.2
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I have the same reservations about him breaking through for us but do genuinely believe he can have a career in football much like Arter, Deji, Barker etc.MarcusH26 said:Probably activate the club option just because of the injury. Someone that I'm not sure is ever quite going to break through with us mainly due to the emergence of Keenan Gough.6 -
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