Charlton had a frenetic summer since securing a return to the second tier of English football. They had a few exits but, at the same time, roped in 15 new names to bolster the squad and stay relevant in the Championship battle. Adam Matthews has been announced as their latest recruit after proving his fitness since being released by Sunderland upon completion of the previous campaign, according to BBC Sport.
The Addicks are off to a flying start having maintained their unbeaten streak before the international break. A 2-0 win over Reading guided them to the second place in the Championship standings, and the signing of Matthews is a no-brainer particularly after the departure of Anfernee Dijksteel a month back.
Lee Bowyer has sanctioned a loan move for teenager Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu for first-team minutes, and therefore, was left with Chris Solly as the only right-back option before Matthews’ arrival. Adedeji Oshilaja has been deployed down the right at times, but the former Cardiff City and AFC Wimbledon centre-half should be utilised in his usual role going forward in the aftermath of the Welshman’s addition on a Bosman transfer.
Why This Is A Smart Move From Bowyer
At 27, the fullback is a beacon of consistency having progressed through the youth ranks of Cardiff City. He then plied his trade to Scotland and went on to feature 150 times for Celtic before joining the Black Cats for £2m in the summer of 2015. But his game-time was limited at Wearside, and the defender was forced to spend the next one-and-a-half season on loan at Bristol City for first-team minutes.
Matthews finally grabbed a regular role at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland’s demotion from Premier League football. Another relegation saw the English side dropping in the third tier and the Wales international, who remained as an unused substitute in Sunderland’s painful playoff final defeat against the Addicks, is now determined to prove a point at the Valley banking on his profound experience as well as expertise.
What Bowyer Should Be Expecting From The Welshman
Matthews had his issues with fitness in the past but should be able to cover and challenge Solly as well as Oshilaja on the right-hand side of Charlton’s backline.
He has a traditional approach to his game with more focus on the defensive work-rate over lung-busting overlapping runs. The ex Celtic man’s ability to hold on to the ball under pressure should help the Londoners sneak results in the tight and edgy contests.
