Chem Campbell has returned to Wycombe Wanderers on loan, after his spell with Charlton Athletic came to an end.
Part of the Wolves set-up for more than seven years now, the attacker has played eight times for the Old Gold’s first-team, with his debut making him the second youngest player to ever represent the club in 2019.
In more recent times, the 21-year-old has been learning his trade on loan in League One, and he added 18 appearances to his name with Charlton during the first part of the campaign, scoring twice and providing two assists.
Now Campbell returns for a second stint at Wycombe, after spending the first part of 2023 there, claiming three goals in his 12 outings for the Chairboys.
Pathways manager Steve Davis said: “When we loaned Chem to Charlton we wanted it to be a season for his development – it’s good to see them over a whole season rather than half – but in the end it was agreed that, with the change of direction they were going in and the players Charlton were bringing in, it was best for both parties that he went elsewhere.
“He knows the environment at Wycombe, he’s played there and did well there. Matt Bloomfield was very focused on wanting to bring him in to help the team and almost guaranteed him playing every game. With that guarantee, it just felt right, and Chem wanted to do it as well.”
Campbell began the League One campaign with assists in consecutive games and netted just two weeks ago against Oxford United, and now Davis has challenged the youngster to hit even greater numbers in an environment he’s familiar with.
“What Chem’s got to do is show that consistency and find that regular slot. We want him to play every game and get to the point where his performances are at that level and he’s a big part of the team. He’s working towards that, but he’s got to find that level and that’s something we’re hoping he can do with these experiences out on loan.
“His strength is his creativity and ability to unlock a defence one versus one. He has an ability to see passes and create chances for other people, so we’ve got to see more of that and that’s what’s going to get him in the team inevitably.
“He can do things a lot of players can’t do in the final third, we just want to see it on a regular basis and for him to be more positive in those areas. He’s blessed with that ability so it’s just doing that consistently within the games.”
He follows Luke Cundle and Dexter Lembikisa in changing loan clubs this month, in search of fresh challenges, and Campbell could make his second Wycombe debut against Port Vale at the weekend.
