Charlton Athletic: Alfie May blow can be combatted by surprise package

Charlton Athletic are preparing for life without Alfie May, after last season’s League One Golden Boot winner signed for Birmingham City this summer.

May joined Charlton from Cheltenham Town last summer, and scored 23 league goals during what turned out to be his only season in SE7.

It had been rumoured that the striker was going to reunite with former Cheltenham boss Michael Duff at Huddersfield Town, before Birmingham stole in and hijacked the deal, May opting for a move to the Midlands instead in a deal worth £775,000.

Charlton moved quickly to replace the 31-year-old, bringing in experienced forward Matty Godden from Coventry City and Ipswich Town striker Gassan Ahadme for undisclosed fees.

May scored more than a third of the Addicks’ goals in League One during the 2023/24 campaign, so it is important that other players can put the ball in the net next season if Charlton are going to mount a promotion push.

Charlton have plenty of options up front

Following the arrivals of Godden and Ahadme, the Addicks’ forward options look strong going into next season.

Charlton also have promising strikers Daniel Kanu and Miles Leaburn in their ranks, as well as powerful target man Chuks Aneke, who they will hope can stay fit for the majority of the season and have a real impact from the bench.

Experienced striker Danny Hylton, who worked with Nathan Jones previously at Luton Town, has been on trial with Charlton for the last couple of weeks, so he could provide further depth if he ends up agreeing a deal at The Valley.

Charlton have not been short of goals in their first two friendlies. The Addicks beat non-league side Dartford 6-1 in their pre-season curtain raiser before they finished their training camp in Slovenia with a 3-1 win against Goztepe, who will play in the Turkish top flight next term.

One player who has impressed so far during pre-season is Tyreece Campbell, who has played as a striker in Charlton’s first couple of friendly fixtures.

Tyreece Campbell could be a surprise package for Charlton next season

Campbell has played a good amount of first team football for Charlton in his short career, although most of it has been as a winger.

The 20-year-old has scored six goals in 71 appearances in all competitions for the Addicks and was handed a new contract at the end of last season despite Jones’ preferred formation featuring wing-backs rather than out-and-out wingers.

The 51-year-old manager explained after the Dartford game that he believes Campbell is “at his best” up front. The youngster scored a brace against the non-league outfit before he gave the Addicks the lead in the friendly against Goztepe.

Jones spoke in an interview that was posted on the club’s official X account after the game in Slovenia, reiterating that he wants to change Campbell’s position ahead of next season.

He said: “We know he’s a threat. He’s young, we’re changing his position slightly, so he’s a work in progress, but him and Daniel Kanu, they work hard and have a real threat.”

Campbell completed the seventh-most successful dribbles per 90 minutes in League One last season, as well as ranking 26th in the division for shots taken per 90 minutes alongside the likes of Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop.

If Jones can successfully transition Campbell into an effective striker, his lightning pace, ability to beat a man and willingness to get shots off could make him another player that can soften the blow of May’s departure.