Wrexham have struck gold with ex-Charlton Athletic star after transfer collapse: View | OneFootball

George Dobson has already proved to be a pivotal figure with the Red Dragons, as they adapt to life in League One

When Charlton Athletic waved goodbye to captain George Dobson after over 100 appearances for the club in the summer, few would have expected him to be playing for a divisional rival just months later.

The midfielder looked set for a move to Hungarian outfit Fehervar after agreeing a pre-contract agreement earlier in the year, with the Addicks resigned to losing their midfield general as he travelled overseas.

But with the deal like it was going over the line, Dobson pulled out of the continental move at the eleventh hour, with a last-minute hitch seeing him go back on his word to make the move to Europe.

That transfer u-turn has played right into Wrexham’s hands at the start of the current campaign, with the 26-year-old already looking right at home in the centre of the Red Dragons’ side.

George Dobson Fehervar move collapses after Charlton Athletic exit

Having played over a century of games for Athletic, and led by example while playing with the captain’s armband, there were few who wanted Dobson to depart The Valley over the summer, including boss Nathan Jones.

The Welshman reportedly did all he did to try to keep the player at the club, with his importance in the middle of the park not being missed on the former Luton Town man.

Jones said earlier in the year: “It would be disrespectful for me to say anything about Hungary but what we’re saying is he’s good enough for Charlton. That’s all we care about.

“He affects a football game. When you look at him, he creates chances for people. He takes onboard stuff. The one where he was sliding in, he puts the best ball of the game in. People think he’s an out of possession player because he runs about, slides in and wins it so people think he’s a defensive midfield player.

“He’s not, he’s a better footballer than people give him credit for. I’ve seen that and I’ve recognised that. He’s affected pretty much every game of football he’s played for us and that’s all you can ask for from a midfielder.”

But with the midfielder having seemingly made up his mind about a move abroad, Charlton were resigned to losing one of their top talents, only for him to pop up at the big-spending Welsh side months later, which will no doubt have wrangled those at The Valley.

While Athletic have started the season in fine form themselves, seeing a former fan favourite running the show at a potential promotion rival will be hard to take, with Dobson starting the season in fine form.

Wrexham benefit from George Dobson, Fehervar u-turn

It only took a matter of days for Dobson to join Wrexham after pulling out of the Fehervar deal, with Phil Parkinson’s side capitalising on the availability of one of the division’s prized performers.

With experience at Walsall, AFC Wimbledon and Sunderland under his belt before making the move to The Valley in 2021, Dobson has been a regular performer in the bottom two tiers of the EFL during his career, and has used that experience to great effect with the League One new boys already this season.

The 26-year-old has played every single minute of league action for the Welsh side so far, with his industrious nature leaving the opposition with little time on the ball, as he hounds and harries them to win back possession.

As a result, Wrexham are yet to taste defeat, with an opening day 3-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers backed up by a stalemate with Bolton Wanderers, and successive wins over Reading and Peterborough United.

While the likes of Jack Marriott, Paul Mullin and Elliott Lee might get the plaudits for their eye-catching performances in the final third, the trustiness of someone like Dobson gives those attackers the licence to play with freedom, knowing their trusty teammate is there to pick up the pieces.

The midfielder leads the way in terms of tackles won (9) and interceptions (10) for his side so far this season, with his steeliness and determination giving his new employers a platform with which to build attacks upon.

Charlton will know exactly what that felt like, and his departure will still wrangle some of those at The Valley, with a potential return to the club on October 26th already looking like captivating viewing.