‘Not in the interests of Charlton Athletic FC’ – Nathan Jones on George Dobson’s February switch to Fehervar collapsing

Nathan Jones has indicated that George Dobson’s pre-contract agreement to join Hungarian club Fehervar will not affect his selection prospects.

The Addicks club captain was not part of the travelling party for the 2-0 defeat at Reading, Jones’ first match in charge after being appointed manager on February 4.

Dobson has been made contract offers from the South London club but they have been unable to agree an acceptable package for the 26-year-old, who has made 112 League One appearances since signing in July 2021.

Fehervar claimed over the weekend that Charlton had pulled the plug on a transfer now with the Hungarian transfer window open.

Our paper had been told on Saturday that Dobson was set to fly to Budapest on Monday with a three-year contract finalised.

Asked who made the decision to block the switch, Jones told the South London Press: “There was an offer and a provisional agreement in place – provided all parties agreed. In the end we didn’t want to do it – we didn’t feel it was in the interests of Charlton Athletic Football Club, so we made that decision.”

Asked if he would have liked to have kept Dobson beyond his current terms, the Welshman replied: “All I’m focused on is now. I’ve known George for a long, long time and certain situations I can’t control because a lot of things were done before I came in.

“All I can control is in the here and now. I want George to contribute and to do well for Charlton, laying those foundations, and that is what is happening.

“It (the pre-contract) doesn’t affect anything – as long as George is at it. As long as George is George then he will be fine.

“It will be entirely down to George and his motivation for the next two-and-a-half months.”

Dobson was pictured holding up a Fehervar shirt over the weekend.

Pre-contracts are legally binding unless there are stipulated get-out clauses.

The South London Press asked Jones if the former Sunderland midfielder was in the UK.

“I don’t know where he would’ve got the shirt from, but he is in the country,” responded Jones. “It’s not all about George Dobson. George is staying, he’s staying until the end of the season.

“Is there an option for him to stay longer? Probably, if he chooses not to that’s fine…no problem.

“All I’m focused on is right now and George is part of that. Everything is focused on getting us the results to get us out of the situation we are in and to build for the future – that is the only thing that is important now.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD