Exclusive: Don Goodman issues Charlton Athletic prediction for 2025/26 - it'll be "a tough season" | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has his say on the Addicks' survival chances next season

Charlton Athletic are poised to face a tough battle to avoid relegation next season, with Don Goodman warning them that the Championship step-up will be challenging despite manager Nathan Jones' experience.

As the Addicks prepare for their return to the second tier after five years in League One, they face a division that has grown increasingly competitive.

The financial disparity between the divisions is start, with Championship clubs typically operating with significantly higher budgets and wage bills - Charlton's TV revenue is projected to be around £10m following promotion, but this will still place them among the lower-earning clubs in the division.

Charlton have done some very good early business though. Belgian goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski signed from Luton Town, after starting every Premier League game for the Hatters in 2023/24.

Amari'i Bell has further complimented the incomings at Charlton, who again re-unites with Nathan Jones after their successful partnership in Bedfordshire. The 31-year-old's 216 appearances in England's top two divisions provide exactly the kind of experience needed for Jones' side.

Don Goodman issues Charlton Athletic, Championship survival verdict

Speaking exclusively to FLW about Charlton's upcoming Championship campaign, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman delivered a measured assessment of their survival chances.

"I think Nathan knows it’s going to be a tough season for Charlton next season," Goodman told FLW.

"They’ve brought in some experienced lads in Thomas Kaminski and Amari Bell so that’s a good start to the transfer window but I would expect to see quite a bit more activity on incomings particularly at Charlton."

"Invariably, I'd say in 90 per cent of cases for clubs promoted from League One to the Championship, it's all about consolidation, keeping their place in the Championship and getting stronger and stronger every passing year."

"Ipswich were an exception, Birmingham are likely not to struggle and will be an exception - but when you look at the three that got promoted to the Championship last season it was tough for them wasn’t it, in terms of Derby County, Oxford United and Portsmouth, who all were fighting relegation right until quite near the end of the season."

"So yes, they all survived as well, and I think that’s the positive for Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones is that it is a gap that can be bridged - but it will be a tough season."

What the future holds for Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones

Goodman's words suggest that while Charlton likely face a difficult season, they are taking the right steps to prepare for the Championship season.

The emphasis on experienced signings and the retention of Nathan Jones provides a good foundation of what will undoubtedly be a testing campaign - the Addicks have also secured the signings of Sonny Carey from Blackpool, another from Luton in Reece Burke, and Stockport County's Tanto Olaofe.

The reference to the "gap that can be bridged" offers some hope that Charlton can follow the example of Derby, Oxford, and Pompey, who all managed to survive their first season back, whilst the Rams stayed up on the final day of the season.

With pre-season preparations underway and the transfer window still very much open, Charlton have time to continue building their squad for the challenges ahead - while Goodman says survival will be tough, the Addicks are definitely heading in the right direction to do so.