Exclusive: Dillon Phillips won’t be first-choice Charlton goalkeeper as Lee Bowyer explains tough stance
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Dillon Phillips has been told he won’t be first choice for Charlton Athletic this season because he will not sign a contract extension.
Addicks manager Lee Bowyer has confirmed that Ben Amos is now first choice between the posts.
Phillips was the club’s Player of the Year in 2019-20 but has indicated he will not commit his future after the SE7 outfit were relegated to League One.
Bowyer reckons a “good offer” was turned down by the Charlton academy product in February.
Phillips is 24 and will be able to leave on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires.
Middlesbrough have seen a bid rejected for the shotstopper, who has also attracted interest from Birmingham and Blackburn.
“We did offer him a good contract in February time and Dillon and his agent said they didn’t want to sign and wanted to see how things panned out,” said Bowyer.
“They feel Dillon is a Championship goalie. Okay, if that’s the case we got Ben to sign in the summer on the understanding that Dillon will be going – because that’s what his agent was saying.
“That’s what we expect to happen but at the moment we’ve got three good goalkeepers in the building.
“Middlesbrough made an offer, but we rejected it.”
Bowyer says he is not prepared for a repeat of what happened with Lyle Taylor, who opted not to sign and joined Forest on a free transfer.
“I feel I gave Dillon the chance and I think he should sign so that we’re not getting pushed back into a corner again,” said Bowyer.
“It was different with Lyle [Taylor] because I felt he could make the difference and would have kept us in the division last season with his goals. That was why we made the choice not to sell Lyle.
“Obviously we want Dillon to stay but basically it is his agent that is saying no.
“But agents nowadays they feel like they have the power and say ‘okay, we’ll go on a free’.
“Yeah, we are going to sell if he doesn’t sign. If he doesn’t sign then there is a big chance he won’t play.
“Ben will start the season. I told Dillon that and Dillon told his agent. If you don’t want to sign you’re not going to be starting the season.”
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A good bit of ‘blackmail’ by Lee Bowyer and I agree with him. Agents have too much say and I am an old fashioned person in as much that I like to see loyalty. I would never blame Dillon for our relegation, he was amost faultless when playing and he was ever present between the posts and it was Lee who gave him his big chance. He has more than enough years ahead to be able to stay at Charlton and help them regasin Championship status. If it doesn’t happen this season, then fine, move on. He could stay at Charlton and become an even better keeper. Well done Lee !!