Wigan Athletic: Expected team v Charlton Athletic!
Wigan Athletic host Charlton Athletic in their League One opener on Saturday evening, and will be looking to earn all three points at the first time of asking.
Naturally, the primary objective of Shaun Maloney’s men will be to win the game against a strong Addicks side managed by the highly rated Nathan Jones, and to send a message to the rest of League One by doing so.
But Latics club chiefs such as owner Mike Danson will also have the performance of Charlie Hughes on their minds amid continued transfer interest from Championship outfit Hull City, who are searching for a Jacob Greaves replacement after the 23-year-old left for Premier League newboys Ipswich Town.
Latics will hope a strong Hughes performance can earn them extra cash
The central defender has been one of Wigan’s key players ever since making his debut during the 2022/23 Championship season, in which he was a shining light in an otherwise poor side who were relegated from the second tier.
The 20-year-old then particularly impressed with the Latics in League One last season as they landed an unlikely top-half finish by overcoming the challenges of an eight-point deduction and a transfer embargo.
Hughes’ strong performances in Tics colours during the 2023/24 campaign saw him earn multiple caps for the England Men’s Elite League Squad, formerly known as the under-20s.
Meanwhile, the Brick Community Stadium faithful will not be surprised that there is strong Championship interest in one of their club’s best players, while the starlet himself arguably deserves to be plying his trade in the second tier.
According to the Hull Daily Mail, the Tigers have made a bid of over £5m for Hughes’ services, but the Latics will want to hold out for more money than that as the centre-back is one of the club’s finest homegrown talents, and a strong performance from the youngster on Saturday would help their cause.
Hughes demonstrated his talent last season, as he proved his defensive solidity, while he was also integral towards Maloney’s philosophy of playing possession-based football out from the back.
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