“It breaks my heart” – Birmingham City urged to offload Lukas Jutkiewicz

Birmingham City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is facing an uncertain future with his contract expiring this summer.

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

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

Jutkiewicz has scored 66 goals and registered 27 assists in 328 appearances in total during almost eight years at St Andrew’s, but if he is not offered a new deal this summer, it is possible he has already played his last game for the club.

Jutkiewicz has been sidelined since the middle of March with a knee injury, but interim head coach Gary Rowett is hopeful he could return before the end of the season as Birmingham look to avoid relegation.

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

Birmingham City fan pundit on Lukas Jutkiewicz’s future

FLW’s Birmingham City fan pundit Mike Gibbs says that while Jutkiewicz has been an excellent servant to the club, he should not be offered a new contract this summer.

“Does he deserve one for his years of service? 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 say 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 ask, 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 is difficult to disagree with Mike on this one.

There is no doubt that Jutkiewicz is still capable of making an impact for Birmingham, as highlighted by the late equalizer he scored after coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw at Hull City last month. However, he is unlikely to be a regular starter next season.

Manager Tony Mowbray, who is set to return to the club in preseason after a period of absence due to health reasons, worked with Jutkiewicz previously at Middlesbrough. He may be tempted to give him an extension, particularly if the Blues are in League One.

However, 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.

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