Charlton striker Gassan Ahadme outlines target for Addicks ahead of League One campaign
Charlton Athletic forward Gassan Ahadme has set his sights firmly on promotion ahead of his first season with the Addicks.
The striker, signed from Premier League Ipswich Town this summer, scored 11 goals in 29 League One appearances on loan at Cambridge United last season.
He bagged his first goal in Charlton colours during Saturday’s impressive 2-0 pre-season win over Portsmouth at The Valley – the final outing before the season kicks off at Wigan next weekend.
The Addicks are coming off the back of their lowest league finish in 98 years but Ahadme, one of seven permanent signings made this summer, backs the side to have a positive campaign this time around.
“[The aim is] promotion,” explained the Moroccan attacker, 23.
“It’s clear that the amount of players that have come here, the ideas from the manager himself who has come here, that everybody will try to push in the same direction. The objective is to get promoted.
“Charlton is a big club. We have really good players. A new group, a new manager. I think we can do something nice this season.
“Pre-season is important but now the real games start. The real stuff starts now so we need to be at it.
“We want to achieve big things this season and there’s no better way to start than to do so in a good way.”
Ahadme is one of several strikers at Nathan Jones’ disposal. He partnered Tyreece Campbell from the off against Pompey, with Chuks Aneke and Dan Kanu coming off the bench later. Matt Godden missed the clash due to concussion protocols and Miles Leaburn is still sidelined with injuries. Danny Hylton remains on trial at The Valley.
“There’s a really good group [of strikers] and different profiles in the team,” added Ahadme.
“It will be good to have that kind of competition because it will keep everyone on their toes. The manager will have different option for certain games because sometimes we need certain stuff from certain players. We’ll have different options.
“[Jones is] a really good manager. I don’t need to tell you that, everybody knows. What I really like is the clarity. The ideas that he’s setting the team on how we have to do things and play. We’re showing that on the pitch and that’s the most important thing.
“He likes the commitment, press, working hard, winning duels. These are really important aspects to have success in this league.”
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