Charlton Athletic boss Jones: I’ll do everything I can to keep George Dobson

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones says he hopes that “common ground” can be reached for George Dobson to still be at the club next season.

The Addicks captain has signed a pre-contract agreement with Hungarian side Fehervar.

Jones, who was appointed boss at the start of February, blocked Dobson leaving that same month and has said multiple times that he wants to retain the former Sunderland midfielder, who scored in today’s 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury Town.

The only way there looks to be a chance of that being the case is, firstly, the player wanting to stay in SE7 and then thrashing out agreeable terms with Fehervar, who would be entitled to a transfer fee.

“I believe he has signed a pre-contract – I want him to be at this football club and playing for Charlton,” said Jones.

“I will do everything I can to keep George Dobson at this football club. I did it in February – to prolong his stay. He would have gone in February, but I didn’t want him to go. I saw something in him that I thought we could use.

“He has done very, very well for me. He has excelled and I’m very proud of him.

“And it’s not for the reasons why everyone thinks he is a good player – because I think he’s a better footballer than people give him credit for. I think he is better in possession than out, whereas everyone thinks he is a number six who is a ballwinner, I’m not sure he is.

“Now we need to find some common ground.

“He epitomises what I want us to be – front-footed and belief in what we do.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He gets on with his job. It’s not all about George Dobson but he has been a big part in why we have been able to secure our status. Now we are able to move forward and build.”

PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS