Charlton Athletic have impressed since arriving in the Championship following their promotion-winning season from League One, and the Addicks’ battling performances are best epitomised by a player who is steadily rebuilding their career under the management of Lee Bowyer.

Jonny Williams, 26, rose through the ranks with Crystal Palace but, despite becoming a full Wales international at the age of 20, his career has arguably stagnated owing to continuous loan spells at varying levels of English football.

The midfielder’s CV includes the likes of Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forrest, MK Dons and Sunderland – all of whom the Welshman was on loan with. But in 2019 Charlton took a chance on an unquestionably promising player who was yet to kick on despite clearly have an abundance of ability to do so.

After making 18 appearances in the club’s League One campaign that culminated in promotion, Williams was initially released but returned to the club after Bowyer confirmed he had substantially dropped his wage demands.

After re-signing, the 26-year-old has started eight Championship games so far in the 2019/20 campaign, registering four assists. It is this type of form that has seen Williams accrue 21 caps for Wales, and Bowyer will be hoping that the midfielder’s time at The Valley can provide a platform to reignite his international career and impress Wales coach Ryan Giggs – who recently recalled Williams to the squad after his impressive start to the current campaign. 

If Williams is able to continue this form alongside his team maintaining their early-season momentum, then there is no reason Charlton cannot feature in the promotion picture for a place in the Premier League.

Enormous credit is due to Williams for the way he has turned his career back around in impressive style in both League One and the Championship.