Liverpool deal should be transfer blueprint for Charlton Athletic | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic are yet to make a signing during the January transfer window.

Charlton Athletic are yet to make a signing during the January transfer window, with Nathan Jones' side eyeing a push for the play-offs.

The Addicks currently find themselves four points adrift of the top six in League One following an upturn in form that has seen them pick up 13 points from the last 18 available to them.

Therefore, it is somewhat surprising that they have not yet strengthened their squad in the January transfer window, with a couple of quality additions potentially being the difference between a promotion push and another season in the third tier.

After Charlton spent transfer fees to bring in the likes of Alex Mitchell, Gassan Ahadme, and Greg Docherty during the summer transfer window, their best option may be to explore the loan market this month, despite the fact that Nathan Jones usually prefers to sign players on a permanent basis.

With that being said, the club should look at a signing they made in January 2021 as a blueprint for any potential business during the remainder of the current transfer window, as the team could benefit from a couple of additions before the end of the month.

Charlton signed a player from Liverpool in 2021

Not many Charlton supporters would have heard of Liam Millar when he signed for the club on loan from Liverpool in January four years ago, with his only previous loan spell having been in Scotland with Kilmarnock.

The Addicks found themselves in the hunt for a play-off place in League One at the time, having been relegated from the Championship the previous season.

Millar proved to be a useful signing for Charlton, scoring three goals and providing six assists in the league, with his standout moments being winning goals in 1-0 away wins against Bristol Rovers and MK Dons.

Unfortunately, despite winning both of their last two games of the season, Charlton narrowly missed out on a play-off place on goal difference, although Millar's impact had helped the club pick up several points in their pursuit of the top six.

Striker Jayden Stockley also joined Charlton on loan during the same transfer window that Millar arrived in, before scoring eight goals in the second half of the season, further highlighting that a couple of temporary additions from clubs in leagues above can be beneficial midway through the season, and could be what the Addicks need this if they are going to close the gap to the play-off places this term.

Millar has kicked on since his spell at Charlton

Following his loan spell at The Valley, Millar left Liverpool and signed for Swiss club FC Basel in a deal worth £1.3 million, which is another indication that bringing a player in on loan this month could mean the Addicks get someone they would otherwise be unable to acquire for the remainder of the campaign.

The now 25-year-old spent a couple of seasons in Switzerland before returning to England, where he has played for Preston North End and Hull City, his current club, in the Championship.

It remains to be seen whether Charlton bring in any reinforcements before the end of the January transfer window, but with the top six within their sights, signing a player who could have a similar impact as Liam Millar did in 2021 would do their chances of making the play-offs no harm.