South East London is fertile breeding ground for exciting young talent, as this XI of former Charlton Athletic starlets proves.
Nick Pope – Newcastle United
“He’s a young keeper who we think has got a lot of promise,” Burnley boss Sean Dyche said back in 2016 after snapping up Pope for £1 million following Charlton’s relegation from the Championship.
“He’s a good keeper now but we think he can mature and get even better.”
The Clarets obviously spotted something special in Pope. And their faith was rewarded with countless miracle-spinning performances from a man who’s biblical surname started to feel like a classic case of nominative determinism at Turf Moor.
Now an England international, Pope joined Newcastle United for £12 million this summer.
Anfernee Dijksteel – Middlesbrough
Versatile, tactically flexible footballers are worth their weight in gold these days. And Dijksteel’s ability to play at centre-back or wide on the flank has come in very handy at Middlesbrough. Especially as Chris Wilder aims to emulate his Sheffield United success with that trademark three-man defensive system.
Joe Gomez – Liverpool
One of three England internationals on this team-sheet. The common consensus was that Gomez had blossomed into Gareth Southgate’s finest central defender. At least, before the injury curse struck him down.
But, with the ink still drying on a new long-term contract at Anfield, Liverpool obviously feel that Gomez – who joined as a teenager during the final few months of the Brendan Rodgers era – can get back to those heady days of 2019.
Semi Ajayi – West Brom
Ajayi would never make a single first-team appearance for Charlton, joining Arsenal when he was on the verge of a breakthrough at the Valley. Now at West Brom following a stint at Rotherham United, the 6ft 4ins Nigerian will be a load-bearing pillar in the house Steve Bruce aims to build upon the wreckage of the Valerien Ismael era.
Ezri Konsa – Aston Villa
Konsa’s form dipped last season. But, back in 2020/21, it seemed inevitable Konsa would follow team-mates Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings into the national team set-up. Composed and cultured, the Newham-born stopper is a prototype of the modern-day centre-half.
Ademola Lookman – RB Leipzig
That impudent finish in the 4-0 thrashing of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City aside, things just didn’t work out for the winger following his £11 million move to Everton in January 2017. The Lookman who made his mark at Leicester City last season, however, looked a far more mature, confident, and consistent footballer.
It certainly came as something of a surprise when the Foxes opted not to trigger the £14 million purchase clause in his Red Bull Leipzig contract.
Francis Coquelin – Villarreal
Loaned to Charlton before unexpectedly making himself indispensable at Arsenal (well, briefly at least), the late-blooming Coquelin has carved out a more than respectable career outside of UK shores. He was a key cog in the Villarreal machine who steamrollered Atalanta, Bayern Munich and Juventus en route to the Champions League semi-finals.
Conor Gallagher – Chelsea
Another exciting young midfielder who joined Charlton on loan from a London giant. Scoring six times in the Championship, the tousle-haired Gallagher showcased tantalising glimpses of the potential that would make him one of the Premier League’s rising stars only a couple of years down the line.
Don’t be surprised if he’s making those Lampard-esque runs into the box under Thomas Tuchel soon.
“He’s a good player,” former boss Lee Bowyer told talkSPORT.
“He is only 19 so he’s still learning the game. But he’s hit the ground running. His willingness and work rate are unreal.
Joe Aribo – Southampton
One of five players in his XI currently contracted to a Premier League club. Aribo more than earned his £6 million move to Southampton. It was he scored the opening goal in Rangers’ Europa League final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt after all.
It’s fair to say Bowyer was left rather nonplussed by Aribo’s decision to go north of the border in 2019. Three years, nearly 150 games and two trophies later, the twinkle-toed playmaker certainly issued an emphatic response to his critics.
Karlan Grant – West Brom
While yet to live up to his £15 million price-tag, Grant’s tally of 18 goals in an underperforming West Bromwich Albion side last season is not to be sniffed at. Quick, incisive and an excellent striker of the ball, a frontline of him, Daryl Dike, John Swift and Jed Wallace will strike the fear of God into the heart of Championship defences.
Another promotion for Steve Bruce, perhaps?
Stephy Mavididi – Montpellier
Arsenal to Juventus, via stops at Charlton and Preston North End; Mavididi’s footballing journey is certainly one in the ‘less-travelled’ category. Now 24, the former England youth ace is finally starting to fulfil his vast potential with Montpellier in France.
“Playing like a combination of Mbappe and Neymar,” French football expert Robin Bairner wrote during one particularly electrifying performance in 2021. “Absolutely outstanding.”
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