Charlton Athletic are now in ongoing talks to sign a “brilliant” 24-cap international, and manager Nathan Jones has dropped an update on their pursuit.
Jones vents anger at fans after Portsmouth defeat
Prior to the 3-1 home defeat against Portsmouth on Wednesday night, Charlton had been on a good run of form in the Championship, collecting seven points from their previous three games without conceding a goal.
However, the Addicks were brought back down to earth against Pompey, which led to Jones clashing with a section of the home supporters, as captured from the stands.
The 52-year-old bemoaned his side’s performance, saying: “Today was not the messages we give. It’s 11v11 out there and they wanted it more than us and that is unacceptable.
“If you don’t do the basics well then you can’t have a platform in the Championship.”
Having been in solid form prior to Wednesday’s loss, Jones’ side now find themselves seven points clear of the relegation zone, but the manager remains keen on strengthening his squad, as we edge closer towards the business end of the season.
According to a report from BBC Sport, Chalrton are now in ongoing talks to sign free agent striker Michail Antonio, but there could be competition for his signature, with Qatari side Al-Sailiya also in negotiations.
Antonio is currently training at the Addicks’ facilities, and is eager to return to football, having been out of action since being involved in a car crash while he was a West Ham United player in December 2024.
Jones has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, stating the wheels are ‘still in motion’, and the 24-cap Jamaica international could be a solid addition to his squad…
Antonio could be “brilliant” signing for Charlton
There is now a relatively healthy distance between the Addicks and the bottom three, but they aren’t completely out of trouble, so bringing in a striker with a proven track record could be a savvy move.
Every Championship Golden Boot winner since 2004/05
From King and Ebanks-Blake to Mitrovic and Pukki, these players bossed the second tier.
The 35-year-old certainly fits the bill, having regularly contributed goals and assists at West Ham United, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, which are the three clubs he has spent the majority of his career playing for.
|
Michail Antonio’s goal and assist record |
Appearances |
Goal involvements |
|
West Ham United |
323 |
126 |
|
Sheffield Wednesday |
84 |
35 |
|
Nottingham Forest |
54 |
32 |
Lauded as “brilliant” by broadcaster Jake Humphrey, the London-born striker also has plenty of experience in the second tier, chipping in with 28 goals and 32 assists in 142 Championship appearances.
Antonio may not be a long-term solution, given his age, and the fact he has spent over a year on the sidelines raised doubts about his match fitness, but Charlton need a goalscorer, having scored 31 times in 32 league games, and the West Ham legend definitely knows where the net is.