Charlton Athletic, after an electric start to the 2026/27 Championship campaign, hit the buffers and plummeted down the table as a result, though the Addicks will be heading into the latest international break on a high.

Charlton, under Nathan Jones, started the new Championship season on fire, winning each of their opening three league games against Derby County, West Ham United, and Preston North End.

However, an 11-game winless run would ensue, as Charlton dropped like a lead balloon down the division and ahead of the international break, prepared to host Sheffield United at The Valley.

Jones would get a much-needed three points courtesy of goals from Millenic Alli and Matty Godden in a 2-1 victory, as the Welsh head coach may well be questioning whether his side would be struggling so much had they got one deal in particular over the line in the summer.

Charlton Athletic missed out on the permanent addition of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the summer

Charlton did not splash the cash this summer, largely relying on cheap deals and loans, as the likes of Ivan Mesik, Billy Koumetio, Karlan Grant, Arthur Okonkwo, and Tyler Bindon headed to The Valley.

However, entering the final days of the window, Jones was seemingly eager to bring in a marquee signing, as the Addicks had reportedly agreed a deal worth in excess of £4 million for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Rak-Sakyi, 24, had previously spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan with the club in League One, scoring 15 and assisting eight in 43 third-tier appearances, as loan spells with the likes of Sheffield United, Rizespor, and Stoke City followed.

Despite a deal nearing completion, Charlton and Palace were unable to agree on the final details of the deal, as Rak-Sakyi headed to Turkish outfit Kasimpasa on loan instead.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the winger could be available on the cheap in January, as Football League World takes a look at two Championship clubs that ought to consider his addition permanently this winter.

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers focused heavily on recruitment in the final third over the summer, and for good reason, as each of Mason Burstow, Amario Cozer-Duberry, Rob Apter, Marcus Forss, and Johnny Kenny left the club.

In their replacement, the likes of Samuel Iling-Junior, Kyliane Dong, Ryan Hardie, Theo Bair, and Jayden Nelson headed to Greater Manchester to reinforce Steven Schumacher's options in the top end of the pitch.

However, whilst Bolton have certainly not struggled to find the back of the net at this stage of the season, each of those, aside from Nelson, are on loan, and once again in the summer, the Trotters must be prepared to replace them once again.

Schumacher ought to take action sooner, and as the January window approaches, must consider the bargain addition of Rak-Sakyi, who will surely be available for a cut-price deal with his Palace contract due to expire in just over six months.

Bolton are yet to truly replace the output of Cozier-Duberry on the right flank, and a winger capable of cutting inside on their preferred left foot and having a consistent impact in the second tier ought to be a priority, as Rak-Sakyi fits the bill and then some.

Do you agree with our picks here? Would you like to see Rak-Sakyi at your club? Share your thoughts below!

Derby County

Derby County head into the two-week international break full of uncertainty, as the Rams clawed their way back from 1-0 down to claim what could be a crucial three points against Bolton on Friday night courtesy of goals from Ryan Nyambe, Shane Duffy, and Rhian Brewster.

John Eustace's side remain in the Championship bottom three heading into the break despite this victory, with this just being their second three-point haul this campaign after 15 games.

A decision on the future of Eustace will surely be made imminently, and regardless of who is at the helm at Pride Park heading into the January window, an exciting wide attacker or two must be a priority, and Rak-Sakyi would be a brilliant option.

Failure to replace either Ben Brereton Diaz or Jaydon Banel has left Derby extremely short in those wide forward areas, and with an injury crisis in defence, they don't have the numbers to compensate for a back five at the moment.

Derby need a spark in the final third, something only wide forwards are capable of providing, and in Rak-Sakyi, the Ghanaian could provide the magic that the Rams need to climb their way away from danger.

Unlikely to break the bank, Rak-Sakyi simply must be on Derby's shortlist as they look towards the winter, as the Rams search for a saviour.