Charlton Athletic man may be regretting Stockport County decision - it involves Charlie Kelman | OneFootball

The harsh reality of Championship football is becoming increasingly apparent for Tanto Olaofe.

Isaac 'Tanto' Olaofe's summer move to Charlton Athletic appeared to be a logical step-up to the Championship, but something may already be causing the 25-year-old to question his decision to leave Stockport County.

At Edgeley Park, Tanto had established himself as the club's talisman and finished as their top scorer with 20 goals when Stockport were crowned League Two champions in 23/24.

His performances that campaign made him the first Hatters player since Luke Beckett in 02/03 to score 20 goals in a league season.

Even in his final season at the Greater Manchester outfit, the striker contributed nine goals and three assists in 42 League One outings, helping Stockport reach the third tier play-offs.

Tanto Olaofe struggling for minutes at Charlton Athletic behind Charlie Kelman

Charlton boss Nathan Jones signed Olaofe for a fee believed to be around £1.5m this summer, having scored 37 goals in 121 total appearances for Stockport before his move to the second-tier.

But the harsh reality of Championship football is becoming increasingly apparent for the versatile forward, who has managed just 17 minutes across Charlton's opening three league fixtures this season.

What makes this situation perhaps even more concerning is that he has found himself behind Charlie Kelman in the pecking order - despite the latter arriving at The Valley after him.

Kelman won the League One Golden Boot last season with 21 goals for Leyton Orient, and the minimum £2.75m fee paid suggests he was always Jones' primary striker target.

Against Watford on opening day, Tanto remained an unused substitute as Kelman started and in the goalless draw with Bristol City, Kelman again got the nod ahead of the Millwall academy graduate and played 60 minutes.

Maybe most tellingly, against Leicester City, Kelman was given 15 minutes off the bench while Tanto watched from the sidelines entirely.

Nathan Jones gives Tanto Olaofe a reality check for Championship football

There's no denying that Nathan Jones has got a fair few forward options at his disposal this season, which has obviously created fierce competition for places that may have caught Tanto off guard.

Along with Kelman, the Addicks' manager has Miles Leaburn - who recently signed a three-year contract extension - and Matty Godden, although he is currently out injured.

It's worth a reminder that Godden netted 18 league goals in the third tier last season, while Tanto only managed nine (excluding play-offs). Godden's highest ever transfer fee was £750k, when he transferred to Coventry City from Peterborough United seven years ago.

Even when given a more recent chance in the Carabao Cup against League Two opposition in Cambridge, Olaofe has failed to hit the ground running, and had the least touches, 23, out of any outfield player to play the full 90.

Jones has publicly criticised the striker a little for "over-thinking" chances in the final third, which came after their first-round Carabao Cup win over Stevenage.

The manager's comments after the cup tie obviously highlighted the standards expected at Championship level: "That is what he has got to learn, he won't get time in the Championship," Jones added.

There might be some early regret for Tanto Olaofe at Charlton Athletic

For a player who was Stockport's leading scorer and a big part of their most recent success, finding himself on the fringes in Charlton's plans is a huge change in circumstances.

At 25, Tanto is at an age where regular football is seemingly a must to keep up to a good standard, yet his current situation offers no guarantee of consistent minutes.

The early evidence does suggest that the striker may indeed be regretting his decision to leave the comfort of Stockport, and he'll need to take Jones' words on board in order to take a starting spot off the likes of Leaburn or Kelman.

However, he may get that chance soon, as neither Leaburn or Kelman have opened their scoring accounts in the Championship so far this season either.