Charlton Athletic take on Preston North End at The Valley this Sunday and ahead of the clash, some of the club’s supporters have been debating whether they would have Patrick Bauer back in exchange for Tom Lockyer. Bauer left Charlton this summer to join this weekends opponents on a free transfer.
Despite Bauer’s excellent start to life at Deepdale, it appears the Addicks’ fans are pretty pleased with their Welsh central-defender and won’t be calling for a swap deal anytime soon.
Not the way lockyer has been no way, he has been imo one of our top 3 performer’s this season
— Michael (@natediazisking) October 30, 2019
Love Bauer, but wouldn’t swap Lockyer for anyone.
— Charles ‘Charlton Charlie’ Scherer (@depugis) October 30, 2019
Love Bauer but no… shame they arent in the middle together mind you ?
— Jon (@JTedders92) October 30, 2019
Not In a million years.
Lockyer is all round better than Bauer.
Passing, heading, jumping, positioning… the list goes on— SAMI ??? CAFC (@SamiTurkish21) October 30, 2019
Nope Bauer is a level below
— London init geezer (@Miketyson2007) October 30, 2019
No he’s history.
— Nosurrenda1947 (@nosurrenda1947) October 30, 2019
What do we think?
Bauer has settled in brilliantly at Preston, the club sit second in the Championship and just two points behind West Bromwich Albion. The German has started all 14 of their league games so far and got himself on the scoresheet versus Bristol City back in September.
However, in Lockyer, Charlton have a very competent central-defender of their own. Signed from Bristol Rovers in the summer, 24-year-old has also featured in all his club’s Championship games this season.
Bauer at 27-years-old is arguably at his peak but in Lockyer, the Addicks have a player with room for growth and development. A very exciting prospect indeed.