Birmingham City robbed Charlton Athletic blind with ex-Arsenal man | OneFootball

Blues certainly did the better of the two clubs out of a peculiar set of negotiations

Birmingham City's financial situation under Knighthead Capital Management at this moment in time has become one of the most dominating stories in the EFL landscape, but only a few short years ago, supporters in this part of the Second City had a very different outlook on proceedings.

After being relegated from the Premier League in May 2011 - just months after lifting the EFL Cup - Blues were only able to somewhat trouble the Championship's promotion picture on one occasion in 2011/12 under Chris Hughton.

As a result of losing in the play-off semi-finals against Blackpool, though, years of decline, stagnation plus financial and ownership turmoil at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park set the club back from making any kind of progression towards the division's lower reaches.

In 2019, the club were deducted nine points for breaching the EFL's profitability and sustainability regulations, which came in a season where they had shown signs of progress under Garry Monk in the middle of several other campaigns that either resulted in mid-table obscurity or last-ditch fights to stave off relegation to League One.

The 2020/21 season certainly fell into the former category, as Lee Bowyer was able to return to St. Andrew's as manager and initially stop the rot which had set in under Aitor Karanka's stewardship.

However, Bowyer was only given one pre-season in B9 in an attempt to turn his former club's fortunes around, and one transfer deal involving the side he previously departed, Charlton Athletic, further exemplified Birmingham's chaotic period just a matter of years ago.

Lee Bowyer hoped to replicate Chuks Aneke's Charlton Athletic success at Birmingham City

Bowyer, indeed, was appointed at St. Andrew's in March 2021, just a day after he stepped down at The Valley, with the Addicks in League One at the time of his departure.

The former England midfielder had endured mixed fortunes in SE7, with the 2020/21 campaign their first back at third tier level after previously gaining promotion and suffering relegation to and from the Championship in dramatic circumstances.

During his managerial days with the Reds, Bowyer was known for being able to call upon some rather prolific strikers, with the most notable being Lyle Taylor and Chuks Aneke.

Aneke joined the London club from MK Dons in July 2019, marking his debut with a goal against Stoke City, before failing to score again all season whilst playing just 21 matches.

However, the forward was a different beast in League One, as under Bowyer and Nigel Adkins, he netted 16 times in 41 appearances, leaving Bowyer to feel the need to reunite with Aneke on a two-year deal with Blues.

As previously mentioned, this transfer only added to the woes which those in B9 were feeling during a period of turbulence, with his two goals coming in a 5-0 demolition of Luton Town at Kenilworth Road and in a 2-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers respectively

Despite his previous links to Bowyer, Aneke only started two of his 21 outings for the club, before a rather intriguing development took place.

Chuks Aneke swiftly returned to Charlton Athletic after Birmingham City struggles

Ironically, the forward made a dramatic return to Charlton, explaining upon his return: “It feels good, I have come in today and seen the boys, familiar faces and surroundings, I am buzzing to get going.

An initial run of four goals in 10 appearances showcased that the striker could still find the back of the net on a regular basis, albeit a period of managerial turnover and injuries would plague the impact Aneke would have at The Valley.

In his final season with the club and Nathan Jones' first full campaign in charge, he was able to compliment the further experience held by Matty Godden as the Addicks returned to the second tier by defeating Leyton Orient in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

However, after a record of 27 goals in 138 appearances for Charlton, it was swiftly confirmed he would move on, and he has since plied his trade with Shrewsbury Town in League Two.