Who Is The Most In-Form Player In League One And How Has He Done It?

League One football has given us an array of young talent across the division this campaign. Stansfield, Kone, Barry, Poku – to name a few. One man in particular who has emerged from the unsung to print his name in the headlines is Charlie Kelman.

Kelman has been topping the charts for Leyton Orient this season on his lustred loan spell to East London. Whilst he was not the most likely source heading into a year of League One packed with record expenditure, the 23-year-old has bolstered all chances of an Orient playoff series with two games to go.

21 League Goals – Where Have They Come From?

Yes, that is right; the striker has netted 21 goals from Leyton Orient’s attack this season. A number which nudges Kelman towards the League One Golden Boot, despite only scoring 18 goals in his entire career prior to last August.

Astonishingly, 15 of Charlie Kelman’s grand goal tally for the season have come since the turn of the new year. That is enough to suggest to anyone why he is the most thriving talent in League One right now. The American offers Orient a heap of energy, pressing high and capitalising in the box. To break down his scoring excellence, Kelman has been a marksman in the final third, bagging 18 goals from inside the box – with the majority coming from his pinpoint right foot. Additionally, four headers to complement his sweet right boot have helped the forward on his way to the history books.

(Charlie Kelman Season Shot Map: by FotMob)

It is fair to say that Charlie Kelman is in no way ready to be denied playoff fortune. As the club close in on their earnest desire, the striker has been the genie to help grant Leyton Orient their wish. He has scored six goals and claimed one assist in the O’s last four matches, including back-to-back braces against Mansfield Town and Crawley.

Leyton Orient knew what they were getting when appointing Charlie Kelman on loan last July; after all, he did spend 11 months with them two seasons prior. However, a two-year matured Kelman has stunned East London on his re-entrance, by making his seven-goal season last time round look like a whole different player.

Why Have We Not Seen This Before?

As mentioned, Charlie Kelman looks like a different man this season. The striker has already blown past his prior scoring records in just one season, despite having stints with four different clubs – including three loan spells.

Kelman has always had an eye for goal, just sometimes lacked the execution and game-time in which he has now. The Essex-born American impressed when graduating through the Southend United Academy after spending time out with FC Dallas. At his early age, Kelman managed to grab a handful of goals in his home-county; this earned him a move to Championship QPR. Where the forward’s minutes suffered from the jump up, he was sent out on multiple loan spells to Gillingham. Despite the League Two status, Kelman still struggled for game-time in Kent.

A 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 debut from our new number 9️⃣ last night! @CharlieKelman0 💪 pic.twitter.com/vqT5KyubK6

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) September 8, 2021

Then came his first shift of putting on the red of Leyton Orient, where the striker was handed the playing time he was so desperate for. His contributions that season helped the O’s to step up to League One which has sent them on their tracks today. Last season, Kelman also made the jump higher - but not with Leyton Orient. He was finally given a chance at his parent club QPR but then inevitably sent on loan duties again, this time to Wigan Athletic last January; he scored three goals in 14 games on his trip up north.

It is clear to see Charlie Kelman always had the talent throughout his journey; he just needed the backing of those around him. Something that has been given to him in abundance at Leyton Orient this season.

What Next?

Charlie Kelman’s future is ambiguous in this current moment. Of course, Queens Park Rangers still own the striker. However, if Leyton Orient’s playoff dreams come true and they succeed, they will surely be seeking a deal with him in the second tier.

No matter what, Kelman will be hot property this summer, especially if he adds a League One Golden Boot to his resume. With QPR’s constant bottom-half Championship woes, they would be foolish not to give the talisman a chance at Loftus Road next season. In spite of that, the R’s could charge a hefty fee for the striker’s signature in the summer.

League One’s top scorer (19), overtaking Kone who Luton were interested in for 7m I’m sure & Jay Stansfield#QPR will now have found their season (25/26) where they can fully utilise Charlie Kelman after a really successful loan spell

Will have to watch him, surprised me #LOFC pic.twitter.com/49pzAvgAwr

— Jack (@jkanalysis7) April 12, 2025