Daniel Kanu had his breakout season in 2023/24.
He scored two in his first four games for Charlton in Sky Bet League One, then went on loan to Southend – where he scored four goals in a 5-0 win over Solihull Moors on his full debut – and, less than a month later, made his senior bow for Sierra Leone in a World Cup qualifier against Egypt and Mohamed Salah.
The forward returned to The Valley in November 2023, after the season’s conclusion, was named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the second time, with six goals in 30 league appearances.
“He is such a great kid. His work-rate and what he does – truly, truly wonderful,” was Addicks boss Nathan Jones’ assessment.
Daniel Kanu has been on Charlton’s books for over a decade
Ankle ligament injuries, unfortunately, limited him to only five league starts in 2024/25, yet while there is frustration, Kanu says being part of the – ultimately successful – push for promotion was “life-changing”.
And not just in the way of soaking up the valuable experience that came with it. A loan move to Walsall last summer followed.
“Walsall had been keen on me for a while and spoke to me quite early in pre-season to express their interest. I had a few meetings and the meetings I had were very, very good,” the 21-year-old explains.
“They highlighted exactly where they wanted me playing and they highlighted my strengths and how they’d help me grow as a player, which was really important. That really attracted me and it attracted my parents and all those around me.
“I felt the trust before I even said yes to coming to the club. That’s just how he [Mat Sadler] and Darren Byfield came across. They were very keen to work with me and help me develop as a player. They understood the kind of player I am and how well I’d fit in to the team.”
The 21-year-old has scored 16 goals in 32 appearances for the Saddlers so far this term
In the Midlands, Kanu has shown what he is truly capable of. His current return stands at 16 goals and three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.
This, he says, is his “announcement year”.
“I feel like this is the first time I’ve been able to show all areas of my game and the improvements that have been made in all areas of my game. I’ve been really able to marry up a lot of things that I’ve been working on since I was 18, 19.
“I’m grateful I trusted them [Sadler and Byfield] as now we’re seeing a lot of fruit. I want to keep on giving back to them because they showed a lot of faith and a lot of trust in me really, really early. Everything they said was going to happen has happened, really.
“They’ve helped me improve as a person, as a player and I’ve gained a lot of experience, played a lot of minutes and I’ve been able to give back to them with a few goals.
“I set out to get 10 before Christmas, 10 after Christmas and I got 11 before Christmas. That was what I was aiming for and to be where I am now in mid-February is insane! So, yes, I have exceeded my own goals – we’re going to have to review them again and come up with something that will give me an extra challenge.”
With the way he continuously brings up learning and improvement, it is obvious Kanu is trying to get as much out of this experience as he possibly can.
The opportunity to work with a raft of experienced players in the Saddlers squad has certainly helped.
“Every time a game finishes, Jamille Matt is always the first one that comes up to me and says: ‘Daniel, maybe you could have done this or that. This was good, but…’.
“Albert Adomah has been very encouraging and speaks to me a lot. I’m up against Aden Flint most days in training and that isn’t easy! And Kemar Roofe – when he was here – was very, very helpful.
Kanu says Jamille Matt is the first to offer advice after games
“I’ve been able to take what they’ve said and try and apply it to myself in the right way. I know if someone shouts at me, they’re just trying to encourage me. I’m just taking these things on board. I’m happy to take any criticism because it’s all about making myself a better player.
“If I can go to bed saying: ‘I learnt this today and this is going to help me be better tomorrow’, then that’s what matters, especially at my age.”
He knows he will be a much better player as a result.
“I spoke with some of the coaches recently and we were reflecting on the amount I improved between August and January – and the fact I have now another two months to improve again is amazing.
“The beauty of it is that I get to work on the training ground and then get to test things on a matchday and see if they work and if they are things I should be doing or knowing when to do them.”
In spite of Kanu’s goals, Walsall – who were top from late September to just after Christmas – are in danger of missing out on promotion for the second season in succession.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Walsall and MK Dons.
Monday’s home defeat to MK Dons extended their winless run to seven and, since December 29, it is now one league win in nine. The gap to the play-off places stands at three points, concerning, but by no means insurmountable.
A win in Saturday’s game against Shrewsbury – which is live on Sky Sports+ at 12.30pm – would be huge.
What needs to happen for the Saddlers to get right back into the play-off mix?
“Honestly, I just think it’s just staying connected,” says Kanu.
“At the end of the day, you’re going to have bad patches, and I say that with the little experience I have of last season when I was at Charlton where there was a period where it felt like it was doom and gloom. You get one result and then before you know it, the whole season changes like that.
“I feel like the most important thing for us is to just not lose heart – and we won’t lose heart.
“Another wonderful thing I’ve enjoyed is being around such good people that love football the way I love football and love working hard the way I love working hard. When you have that sort of group you know the result you want is just around the corner.
“We’re not going to lose faith or lose heart. We’re just going to continue doing what we’ve been doing. That’s already got us to where we are because we’re in a great position to do something this season. It’s just about staying connected in everything that we do.”
If this is Kanu’s announcement year, the message is coming through loud and clear.
Watch the Sky Bet League Two match between Shrewsbury vs Walsall live on Sky Sports+ on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm.
