Imps striker Charley Kendall has joined National League side Bromley on loan for the rest of the season.
Kendall signed from Eastbourne in the winter window last season, but spent the second half of the campaign back out with his former club on loan. After playing a part in pre-season and bagging his first Imps goal in the EFL Cup against Doncaster, he was loaned out again, this time to League Two side Sutton United. His time at Gander Green Lane was not a success – the 22-year-old was used mainly as a sub, and appeared ten times, without a goal.
Since returning to City he has featured in reserve matches against the likes of Luton Town and Huddersfield, but has not been seen in the first-team picture, and a loan was expected. The choice of club is important, as it’s clearly a balance between picking a team for which he’ll play, and one that also creates chances for its strikers. Bromley may be the right balance, as they’re doing well, but perhaps need a little push.
They’re currently sixth in the National League table and have the fourth-highest xG in the division, meaning they create chances for their strikers. They do have the prolific Michael Cheek who tends to play up top in a 4-1-4-1, which may limit Kendall’s chances, but they’re also able to go 3-5-2, which they’ve proven on occasion. If they do that, then Kendall will be the perfect foil for Cheek, or Corey Whitely who was at Dagenham the season we were promoted from the National League. He’ll also team up with former Imp (and all-round baller) Adam Marriott.
All eyes will be on Kendall for this loan, to see if he can make the step up from National League South, and put the disappointment of his Sutton spell behind him.
I wouldn’t imagine this will be the final loan the club is involved in, with a host of other young players such as Sam Long, Oisin Gallagher, Freddie Draper and Elicha Ahui also likely to be wanting (and needing) some senior football elsewhere.
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