Birmingham City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz’s contract expires this summer, leaving him with questionable future prospects.
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.
Despite little playing time as a substitute this season, the 35-year-old has scored four goals and assisted once in 29 games across all competitions.
Jutkiewicz has 66 goals and 27 assists in 328 games for St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. However, if he is not offered a new contract this summer, he may have already played his last game with the club.
Jutkiewicz has been sidelined since March with a knee injury, but interim head coach Gary Rowett hopes he will return before the end of the season as Birmingham aim 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.
| Championship Table (As it stands April 22nd) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Stoke City | 44 | -16 | 50 |
| 18 | QPR | 44 | -16 | 50 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 44 | -16 | 49 |
| 20 | Plymouth Argyle | 44 | -11 | 48 |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday | 44 | -29 | 47 |
| 22 | Birmingham City | 44 | -16 | 46 |
| 23 | Huddersfield Town | 44 | -27 | 44 |
| 24 | Rotherham United (R) | 44 | -53 | 24 |
Birmingham City fan pundit on Lukas Jutkiewicz’s future
Mike Gibbs, a Birmingham City fan, believes Jutkiewicz should not be handed a new contract this summer, despite his tremendous service to the club.
“Does he deserve one for his years of service?” Mike stated that sentiment does not play a significant role in his opinion.
“He should only have a contract if he can bring value next year, which I doubt he can.
“He’ll do a job someplace, but I believe he’s struggled to play more than 20 or 30 minutes for us this year, and I don’t think that’s the sort of play we want going forward.
“Although it tears my heart since he’s a Birmingham legend, I don’t think we should let emotion influence the decision-making process.
“I believe we need to think rationally about what we need on the pitch next year, and whether he will offer 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.
However, Jutkiewicz is not suited to Mowbray’s style of play, and given his expensive salary, it makes sense for the club to part ways with the striker this summer.
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