Former Premier League defender Danny Mills has defended the decision taken by Lyle Taylor to not play for Charlton Athletic when the season resumes later this month.
The 30-year-old has been a key player for the Addicks in the Championship this term with 11 goals from 22 outings and that has given them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation.
Taylor’s current contract with the Addicks expires at the end of the June and manager Lee Bowyer recently confirmed that the striker won’t play again for the club, given he is concerned that an injury could scupper his chances of a life-changing move.
The same has been acknowledged by the striker during a recent interview with Sky Sports and Mills believes the player has probably made the right decision at the current phase of his career.
“I completely get it. It is not a popular opinion but he is 30-years-old. This is his final, big contract. His contract runs out and it is incredibly awkward and exceptional circumstances but I get it,” He told Football Insider.
“I cannot say that I would not do the same thing in his situation. People talk about loyalty to clubs but if he gets injured are Charlton going to give him another year? Another four-year deal if he gets injured? No they are not. Put yourself in his shoes – wouldn’t we all do that?“
The south London outfit dropped into the relegation places in the final gameweek before the season was suspended due to the growing health concerns because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the absence of Taylor, Macauley Bonne is expected to lead the line for the Addicks and the fans will be hoping that he can replicate the form from the first half of the campaign.
The Zimbabwe international netted eight times for the club during the opening half of the season, but has barely made an impact since the turn of the year following a hamstring injury.
No one other than him and Taylor have netted more than three goals for the Addicks this term and the 24-year-old has the chance to prove his worth and guide the club to safety.
Charlton are currently a couple of points adrift of Hull City, who are just above the relegation places. Most importantly, there is only a three-point gap to 17th-placed Stoke City and they could easily jump out of the drop zone with a positive restart to the season.
Bowyer’s side return to Championship action with an away game at Hull on June 20. They will be hoping to inflict a fifth-straight league defeat on the Yorkshire outfit in order to jump above the relegation spots.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
