3 defensive upgrades Charlton Athletic should consider this summer

Ben Garner and the Charlton Athletic recruitment team have a lot of work to do between now and the closing exchanges of pre-season to give themselves a chance of competing towards the top six in League One next season.

Jason Pearce left at the end of his contract, the club did not opt to trigger the option to buy clause in Akin Famewo’s loan move from Norwich City and Ben Purrington‘s future is still up in the air with contract negotiations taking place in the last few weeks.

Therefore, defensive reinforcements are needed, and even more so with Garner set to implement a possession-based style of play involving playing out from the back.

Sam Lavelle and Ryan Inniss are the only senior centre backs contracted to the club at the moment, and the latter is far from suited to receiving the ball off of his goalkeeper.

Deji Elerewe, Nazir Bakrin and potentially Charlie Barker will likely head off on the club’s pre-season tour with the first team, but it remains to be seen whether either of the trio will be able to establish themselves as regular features in League One next term.

Here, we have taken a look at three defensive upgrades Charlton should consider this summer…

Ali Koiki

With no confirmed senior left back at the club, just six days before pre-season, Northampton Town’s Ali Koiki could be targeted this summer.

The 22-year-old played a starring role in the Cobblers’ fourth placed finish in League Two last season, and has the physical profile to adjust to a higher level.

The Londoner made 50 appearances for Jon Brady’s men in 2021/22 and could receive interest from third tier clubs this summer, he has one year remaining on his deal at Sixfields Stadium.

Paudie O’Connor

Paudie O’Connor has been one of the more consistent