Charlton have been surprisingly quick to let Jonjo Shelvey speak to Liverpool about a £1.7m move which would include add-ons which we are unlikely to see unless and until Jonjo fulfils much more of his potential. The timing of this move seems strange coming with four key matches yet to come and a fifth which could yet be historic for the club. I can only assume that the Board have had to precipitate this move in order to top-up the coffers and keep the club functioning smoothly as we enter a critical phase in the season.
You have to assume that Jonjo has played his last match for Charlton Athletic. The moaners will no doubt start the debate about how much more Shelvey is worth but we have to see £1.7m as a good price for an 18 year old who has only shown promise so far. There is an argument that Jonjo has been played out of position this season and that he hasn't had a proper run, but for my money, he has not shown the sort of desire and effort expected of players of similar age and talent. I have made the comment previously but he doesn't compare favourable to Lee Bowyer or Scott Parker when they burst into the first team.
Having said all that, we should wish Jonjo well and hope he gets to make an impact at Anfield in the medium term. He could easily hang around on the fringes for two or three seasons before being moved on to a lesser club. John Bostock immediately springs to mind.
Elsewhere, Dirty Leeds fans appear to be preparing for the formality of a victory at the Valley on Saturday and promotion celebrations. In an echo of the Millwall game, they are already bragging about having dozens of seats in the Charlton stands and of how they will be bringing champagne with them to be opened at ten to five. Post-match celebrations are also well advanced although I am taking plans for the Old Kent Road with a large pinch of salt.
In the circumstances, we have every incentive to mock them very loudly on Saturday if we beat them, as I expect us to. They might suddenly find that their season has once again gone tits-up and that they face their annual play-off implosion. Don't forget either that they are arrogant Yorkshiremen with an inbred (sic) sense of superiority and chips on both shoulders - so there's absolutely no need to feel sorry for them.
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Remember Parker didn't break through and really develop until he was 20/21. He's also a very different type of player to Parker. In three years he'll hopefully have developed very well and be a much better player than he is now.
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