This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Who’d have thought it?
As we head into the second international break of the campaign, Charlton sit 10th in the Championship and are just four points off the top.
Lee Bowyer, the man who navigated his side into the Championship via the League One playoffs last year, has done a fantastic job so far, performing above expectations to have his team sat where they currently are.
A number of players have performed well, such as five-goal Lyle Taylor, but that was to be expected after his 21-goal campaign last term.
Let’s take a look at two players who have surprisingly shone for the south Londoners…
Conor Gallagher
Having signed on a season-long loan from Chelsea back in the summer, 19-year-old Conor Gallagher could potentially have been deemed as an unknown quantity by The Valley faithful.
While he would’ve been forgiven for taking a while to find his stride in what is his first taste of consistent senior football, the teenager has instead thrived for the Addicks.
Gallagher has already scored four goals this season, while also being named as the EFL Young Player of the Month for August – Bowyer will surely be hoping the youngster maintains his good form.
Tom Lockyer
Another summer signing in Tom Lockyer has been a key cog in Charlton’s season so far.
The 6-cap Wales international has been a colossus at the back, registering 3.7 clearances per game in the Championship while also appearing to net his first goal for the club in the 1-0 win over Leeds, although it was later awarded to Macauley Bonne.
He has helped Charlton keep three clean sheets in his 11 league appearances so far, and some fans on Twitter heaped praise on the 24-year-old after his performance against Leeds.
Lockyer has definitely been one of the standout stars of the current campaign, and a surprising one given the fact he is still a relatively new face at The Valley.