Charlton Athletic’s manager Nathan Jones plans to make significant changes to the squad this summer.The Addicks hired Jones in February, and the former Luton Town player appears to have guided the club to safety.The South Londoners’ focus will now shift to summer plans as they prepare for a potential promotion drive.One crucial area that must be addressed is midfield, as the club is likely to lose captain George Dobson at the end of the season.Dobson has been a significant player for the League One team, so they will understand how important it is to find a competent successor.
Football League World exclusively announced Dobson’s pre-contract deal with Hungarian team Fehervar FC.The Charlton midfielder was expected to join the club in February, as the Hungarian transfer market remained open.Charlton has postponed his departure until the summer.The Addicks were eager for Dobson to stay, since they were near the bottom of League One and needed all the assistance they could get to get out of the position.Fortunately, Charlton will continue to play in the third division. Dobson will leave the club this summer after three years, having joined in 2021 from Sunderland.The 26-year-old has played over 100 games for the club and has established himself as a significant player, making finding a suitable replacement all the more important. Reviving their interest in Ipswich Town midfielder Idris El Mizouni may be the solution.Charlton was one of the clubs interested in him last summer and may pursue him again in the upcoming transfer window.Charlton should consider Ipswich and Idris El Mizouni as Dobson’s replacement.It will be frustrating to see Dobson leave for nothing, but Charlton’s owners have demonstrated their willingness to spend and will be expected to back Jones in the summer.They may not have to spend too much to sign El Mizouni, however, as the midfielder is out of contract at Portman Road. Ipswich has the option of triggering a one-year extension, which they are expected to do in order to profit from him.This season, the Tunisia international has been on loan at Leyton Orient, where he has started all but one of their League One games. He is averaging 84 minutes per game and has been an important part of Richie Wellens’ team as they attempt an unexpected play-off push.
| Idris El Mizouni’s 2023/24 League One stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 38 |
| Minutes per game | 84 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Key passes per game | 0.7 |
| Touches per game | 63.7 |
| Big chances created | 3 |
| Passes per game(accuracy) | 43.7 (87%) |
| Interceptions per game | 1.1 |
| Tackles per game | 2.5 |
| Clearances per game | 1.3 |
| Average rating | 7.11 |
| As per Sofascore.com (As it stands on the 14th of March) | |
El Mizouni has grabbed just one goal and one assist so far this season, as his input going forward hasn’t been relied upon, but the fact he’s created three big chances and averages 0.7 key passers per game is proof that he can contribute in the final third.It’s his defensive output that the Addicks will be most interested in. He averages 1.1 interceptions, 2.5 tackles, 1.3 clearances, and 6.2 ball recoveries per game and has not made an error that has led to a shot or a goal this term (Sofascore).
The 23-year-old has been very solid in his defensive duties this season, and with that coming in League One, it makes him the perfect type of player to replace Dobson at Charlton.Given Ipswich’s success this term, it would be no surprise to see them move El Mizouni on in the summer and The Valley outfit may not be the only club keen.Derby County were their competition last summer, while four League One clubs are said to have had offers rejected in January so there could be something of a bidding war.It’s vital that the Addicks sign a Dobson replacement so they need to make sure they’re at the front of the queue for the Town midfielder.
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