Charlton Athletic’s league form has dipped after a bright start to the season.
They started well, winning four of their first six games, but their early season momentum has gone, with only two victories in the next ten games.
Despite defeating ten-man Burton Albion on Tuesday night, Addicks fans will be hoping for more progress. So far, their goal scoring has failed them down, as they only average one goal per game, with Matt Godden leading the way with five.
They will most certainly try to resurface these issues in January, which could be the end for long-term servant Chuks Aneke, who has struggled to make an impression in recent years.
Football League World chatted with their resident Charlton commentator, Ben Fleming, to learn more about whether this could be Aneke’s final season at the club. Time for Aneke to leave Charlton. When asked about the 31-year-old’s future, Fleming quickly admitted that the striker’s second spell should finish in 2025.
“I believe this will be his final season with the club.
“I was looking at the story from when we signed him, and this is his final year with us. I cannot imagine a future in which we renew his contract.
“Nathan Jones isn’t one to report injuries, but he (Aneke) started a few games on the bench, then wasn’t on the squad, and hasn’t been seen in four or five games.
“It makes no sense to have a player who cannot start games and is unable to maintain fitness for extended periods of time. That is not a slight against him. I wish he could stay fit, and I’m sure no one is more dissatisfied or disappointed than him.”
Speaking about Aneke’s economics, Fleming said: “I would guess he is one of the better-paid players in the club, considering that he moved down from Birmingham. You can’t justify spending that money on a player who can’t start games.
“It will take
an extremely amazing turnaround in which he becomes fit in the new year or in the coming weeks, makes some substitute appearances, and starts at the end of the season. But I don’t see this happening. Since his return to the club, he has not been a consistent starter at any stage. “It is a real tragedy, since when he left to Birmingham, he was by far the most prolific striker in the league in terms of goals per 90 minutes. But if you can’t stay fit for an extended period of time, no team at this level will consider it a necessary risk, especially given the salary I believe he is on.”
Chuks
Aneke consistently scored goals for Milton Keynes Dons and Charlton between 2017 and 2021. While injuries prevented him from playing a leading role, his “super sub” attitude often came in handy for his teams. Unfortunately, since his return to the Addicks, his hamstring difficulties have worsened to the point where he is unable to play in long-term games.
This will very certainly lead to his departure in June, as he seeks to relaunch his career somewhere. At 31 years old, you might say that he still has some football left in him, and if he can avoid injuries, he may be able to return to his goal-scoring ways.
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