“It breaks my heart”: Birmingham City are encouraged to release striker

admin | April 26, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Lukas Jutkiewicz, a Birmingham City striker, is facing an unclear future as his contract expires this summer.

Jutkiewicz is one of the Blues’ longest-serving players, having signed on loan from Burnley in August 2016 before making the switch permanent in January 2017.

The 35-year-old’s playing time has been limited this season, with majority of his minutes coming as a substitute, but he has four goals and one assist in 29 games in all competitions.

Jutkiewicz has 66 goals and 27 assists in 328 games during nearly eight years at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, but if he is not granted a new contract this summer, he may have already played his final game for the club.

Jutkiewicz has been out since the middle of March with a knee injury, but interim head coach Gary Rowett is hoping he can return before the conclusion of the season as Birmingham attempt to avoid relegation.

The Blues are presently 22nd in the table, one point from safety, and they could be relegated on Saturday if they lose against Huddersfield Town and other outcomes go against them.

Birmingham City fan pundit on Lukas Jutkiewicz’s future

Mike Gibbs, a FLW Birmingham City fan, believes that while Jutkiewicz has been a good servant to the club, he should not be handed a new contract this summer.

“Does he deserve one for his years for services? Yes, but for me, I don’t think sentiment can come into it really,” Mike said.

“He should only have a contract if he can add value next year, and I’m not quite sure he can.

“He’ll do a job somewhere, but I think he’s struggled to do more than 20 or 30 minutes for us this year, and I don’t think it’s the style of play we want moving forward.

“For me, I would be a no as much as it breaks my heart because he’s a Birmingham legend, I don’t think we can let emotion get into the decision making criteria.

“I think we’ve got to think with our heads and say what do we need on the pitch next year, is he going to add value?

“If he is, great, if he isn’t, we don’t offer him a contract, and for me, I think it’s the latter.”

Birmingham City should release Lukas Jutkiewicz this summer

It’s impossible to disagree with Mike on this point.

There is little doubt that Jutkiewicz is still capable of making an impact for Birmingham, as evidenced by the late equaliser he scored after coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Hull City last month, but he is unlikely to play regularly next season.

Manager Tony Mowbray, who is scheduled to return to the club in pre-season after a spell of absence due to health reasons, previously worked with Jutkiewicz at Middlesbrough and may be tempted to extend his contract, especially if the Blues are in League One.

But Jutkiewicz is not suited to Mowbray’s style of play, and as he is likely to be on high wages, it makes sense for the club to part ways with the striker this summer.