This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Charlton Athletic’s league form has taken a downturn after a promising start to the season.
They began brightly, winning four of their first six matches, but that early season momentum has since faded, with just two wins in the following 10 games.
Albeit they saw off ten-man Burton Albion on Tuesday night, Addicks fans will still be expectant of improvements. So far, it is their goalscoring which has let them down, as they average just a goal a game with their top scorer being Matt Godden with five.
January will likely see them look to resurrect these problems, and it could spell the end for long-term servant Chuks Aneke, who has struggled to make an impact in recent years.
To get further insight on whether it could be Aneke’s last year at the club, Football League World spoke to their resident Charlton pundit, Ben Fleming.
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Time for Aneke to depart Charlton
Posed the question about the 31-year-olds future, Fleming was quick to admit he believes the striker’s second spell should come to an end in 2025.
“I think, in all likelihood, it will be his final season at the club.
“I was looking at the article from when we signed him, and this is his last year contracted with us. I can’t see a world in which we renew his contract.
“Nathan Jones isn’t one to give out injury news, but he (Aneke) started a few games on the bench, then wasn’t in the squad, and basically hasn’t been seen since—for four or five games.
“It makes no sense to have a player who cannot start games and is incapable of staying fit for long periods. That’s not a slight against him. I would love for him to stay fit, and I’m sure no one is more frustrated or disappointed than him.”
Speaking about the finances behind Aneke, Fleming added: “I would imagine he is one of the better-paid players in the squad, given that he came down from Birmingham. You can’t justify that financial outlay on a player who can’t start games.
“It would take an absolutely miraculous turnaround, where he gets fit in the New Year or the coming weeks, gets some substitute appearances under his belt, and starts at the end of the season. But I just don’t see that happening. Since he has returned to the club, he has not been a consistent starter at any point during this time.
“It is a real shame, as before he moved to Birmingham, he was the most prolific striker in the league by a country mile, looking at goals per 90. But if you can’t stay fit for a sustained period of time, then there’s just no way any club at this level will deem it a necessary risk, especially given the wages I assume he is on.”
Chuks Aneke isn’t the same player
From 2017 to 2021, Aneke proved his worth for Milton Keynes Dons and Charlton, as he persistently scored goals whenever given the opportunity.
|
Chuks Aneke 2017-2021 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Team |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
|
|
2017-18 |
MK Dons |
35 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
2018-19 |
MK Dons |
41 |
19 |
3 |
|
|
2019-20 |
Charlton |
20 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2020-21 |
Charlton |
39 |
15 |
2 |
|
While injuries meant that he could never play a starring role, his “super sub” persona often came in clutch for his sides. Unfortunately, since he returned to the Addicks, his hamstring issues have got even worse to the point where he can’t play persistent games.
This will surely see him depart in June, as he looks to restart his career elsewhere. At 31-years-old, you could argue that he still has some time in football left, and if he can stay injury-free, he could get back to his goalscoring ways.
