Today at the Charlton Athletic press conference much was revealed about Lyle Taylor’s potential departure from the Addicks to Brentford as we rejected bids for £4million, which had Lyle possibly causing a bit of ruckus behind the scenes as the move would have been ‘life-changing for him’.
I was at the press conference myself with Lee Bowyer and he didn’t look too happy about Lyle Taylor when I asked how he (Lee) approached it when Brentford came in for Lyle, here is what he had to say
“If we lost Lyle Taylor, then we would’ve been in big trouble. He’s a massive player for us, and with the money that we pay, we couldn’t replace him, it’s impossible. It’s obviously a difficult situation for a lot of people but that happens in football.”
“It’s not something I can control, Lyle can’t control. I respected that it was a move that could change his life. He was disappointed that things didn’t quite go a certain way, but I think he knew the situation all the way along.
“Now he’s ready to put his head down and get going again. I’m sure we aren’t the only club to deal with a difficult situation like this, but now the window is closed, we know where we stand and we can move on as a group.”
Bowyer also had praise for owner Roland Duchatelet as it was revealed he was the one who turned down the bids because he recognises Taylor as an asset to the club. With that being said, I’m sure Roland would know a sale of the star striker would have put CAFC fans in war mode against the owner.
“I know he gets a lot of stick but there’s times he needs praise and he deserved it yesterday, he could’ve easily taken that money.”
“I don’t know how many bids they made in the end six, seven, eight, and they made a very good offer for Lyle taking into account we paid nothing for him. The last one I thought we were going to lose him but the owner said no.”
I know this might be absolutely crazy suggesting this, but is Roland Duchatelet finally getting what football means to the fans? That was the problem he just saw it as a business and a money-making opportunity when he first came into it, but after many protests and the stick the owner has been getting has he finally thought to himself “maybe there is something else I can do with this club? Something for the better” I think we have Lee Bowyer to thank for that because without him I don’t think Roland’s mind would have changed.
The best piece of evidence that Roland has taken on a more respectful footballing attitude is rejecting the Lyle Taylor bids and the rejected Ivan Toney bid which was an estimated £4million for Peterborough’s star striker which means Roland has put in at least £2million of his own money as Anfernee Dijksteel left for Middlesbrough for the exact same figure as what Roland put in.
I mean none of the fans like the guy, but at least this transfer window he has been supportive of what Lee wants and I’m happy that he is finally getting it, but I am obviously still hopeful of a sale of the club.