Charlton Athletic should sweep up Portsmouth cast off to aid Nathan Jones' plans: View | OneFootball

After Portsmouth announced their retained list last week, the League One champions will be saying goodbye to a number of players who have helped them return to the second tier.

10 players will be leaving Fratton Park when their contract comes to an end this summer, but none will be missed more than defensive powerhouse Sean Raggett.

The colossus at the back will bring an end to his five-year association with the club which has seen him rack up over 200 appearances in a Pompey shirt, and will be faced with the task of looking for a new club over the off-season.

Charlton Athletic are a side looking to rebuild over the summer with new boss Nathan Jones getting the chance to put his stamp onto the side he inherited in February, and the centre-back’s availability could play into the Welshman’s hands.

Sean Raggett should be on Charlton Athletic’s radar following Portsmouth departure

After earning promotion to the Football League with Lincoln City in 2017, Raggett has established himself as one of the most fearless defenders in the EFL after a string of all-or-nothing performances over the course of his career.

Although a move to Norwich City didn’t work out, the 30-year-old found a new home for himself at Fratton Park back in 2019, initially on loan before a move was made permanent, and endeared himself to the boisterous home crowd with his no-nonsense approach to keeping the ball out of the back of the net.

Head it, kick it, whatever it takes; Raggett takes no prisoners when dealt with the task of clearing his lines, as many a League One forward has found out to their detriment over the last half-decade when travelling to the south coast.

44 appearances in all competitions this past season proves just how influential he was to a side that secured the third tier title, with Pompey’s defensive record registering as the third-best in the division - Regan Poole's season-ending injury may have played a part in his renaissance but Raggett took his chance when it was offered.

The silverware earned won’t make leaving the club any easier, but Raggett is proud of his efforts during his time with the former Premier League side, and is eagerly awaiting the next challenge ahead.

“I kind of worked out for myself I might be leaving a while ago when Tom McIntyre signed, I was thinking this looks like it’ll be my last year here.

"I’ve played in the Championship and believe I can play in that league but if that doesn’t happen we’ll see where we are.”

If a move to the second tier doesn’t materialise, one side that will have plenty of ambition to reach the promised land next season will be Charlton, with Nathan Jones already proving his worth during his short time at The Valley.

The Addicks lost just two of their 16 league matches under the Welshman towards the end of the campaign, which underlines just how tough he has got the South London side to play against, and Raggett could help to reinforce that factor tenfold.

The former Southampton boss has previous for building a juggernaut of a side that can take a division by storm - you only have to look at his record at Luton Town to see that - and the signing of Raggett would only add to their defensive solidity.

Charlton Athletic departures pave the way for defensive reinforcements to be added

Charlton will be needing to add to their defensive line this summer, following the departure of two key components of their rearguard when their contracts elapse.

Michael Hector and Terrell Thomas are both out of contract at the end of June, with the pair allowed to leave the club when their deals come to an end as per their retained list.

With a combined 79 gamesbetween them in the season just gone, the duo will leave a big hole in the back line that needs to be filled, and a player with the experience of Raggett could be the missing piece of the puzzle ahead of a promotion push next season.

Despite Jones’ record of just two defeats from his 16 games, only four of those ended in victory, with their inability to keep their opponents out costing them dear over the course of the campaign.

The Addicks had one of the worst records in the division for holding onto leads, with just 11 of their 23 advantages being converted into three points, with nine ending in draws and three in defeat.

That inability to make the most of commanding positions can cost you dear over the course of a season, and with a player that has the experience of grinding out results like Raggett, those fears could be allayed with his assured presence at the back.

There is a nucleus of a strong League One squad growing at The Valley, and the addition of the Portsmouth man would really add to the good-feeling around the camp already heading into the next campaign.

Over the course of the season you need players that have been there and done it to make a difference, and Raggett would provide that in spades; if Jones can work his magic to tempt him to the club this Charlton team will be a force to be reckoned with next season.