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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…
Lee Bowyer hasn’t done much wrong since being appointed as Charlton boss.
The former Newcastle and Birmingham has managed to steer the Addicks into the Championship after an unlikely League One playoff win last season, and has performed even more heroics since the start of the new campaign.
Bowyer currently has his Charlton side sat second in the Championship, having taken 14 points out of a possible 18 from their first six games of the season.
However, one thing that the 42-year-old should have done was trusted his abilities more when deciding to loan out versatile 19-year-old Brendan Wiredu.
The teenager was recently shipped out on loan to Colchester for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign, but given his talent and ability to play in a number of positions – as well as his form in pre-season – Bowyer should’ve tried to develop him and use him in the first-team this term.
Wiredu played as a striker against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup last season – which was his first-team debut for the club – but has also played in a number of other positions.
The Charlton academy graduate has also featured at right-back for the south Londoners, whilst playing in a number of midfield areas as well when out on loan with Bromley last term.
His form in pre-season was nothing short of astonishing, having hit four goals in four games for the first-team this summer whilst operating as a right wing-back.
A handful of fans on Twitter spoke well of Wiredu after hearing of his loan exit, and you can’t help but think that Bowyer should have trusted his ability to coach and develop players before deciding to send this versatile asset away.
Bowyer has proven that he can develop young players and markedly improve them, seen in the likes of Karlan Grant and Josh Cullen’s progress under the former Charlton academy boy turned manager.
Wiredu could’ve been a decent option to have for the Addicks – especially when you take his pre-season heroics into account – and Bowyer definitely should’ve trusted himself a bit more to improve this young talent.
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