Chris Davies confirms Birmingham City transfer plan following controversial contract termination
Why Birmingham City let Keshi Anderson leave on a free transfer and where he could head next.
Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has addressed the controversial decision to terminate winger Keshi Anderson’s contract early, reassuring fans that a plan is in place.
Anderson was due to stay with Blues until the summer but a mutual agreement was reached to end his contract prematurely, as communicated publicly on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is now looking for his next club and is expected to sign a short-term deal elsewhere.
It’s a great shame it hasn’t worked out for Anderson in the Championship as he was outstanding in the division below. The former Blackpool winger was in the Blues Player of the Season conversation as he scored seven goals and provided five assists in 37 League One appearances. Yet this term, he’s only scored once in 17 Championship outings.
Chris Davies explains bold Keshi Anderson decision
There have been some concerns from Bluenoses over the timing of Anderson’s exit, as Demarai Gray is now sidelined with a calf injury. But Davies claims Blues have the situation under control, with the club working to sign a replacement before the end of the January window.
“From our point of view, we are trying to mould the squad to what’s best for the rest of this season and beyond,” Davies added. “I think there are players who want to play and have that opportunity to play more. We are trying to look at everything and see what we need.
“We’re not far away with players that are hopefully coming in, so I don’t think there will be a big change. What we won’t be by the end of January is short of numbers. We will have covered those positions, it’s just in the interim period.
“We wish Keshi well for the future. He was a good player for us in League One. This season he obviously hasn’t played as much, from my side I absolutely wish him all the best for the future.”
Lyndon Dykes joins Charlton
Anderson isn’t the only player to leave St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park this week as striker Lyndon Dykes has joined Charlton Athletic on a permanent transfer. In a club statement today, Blues confirmed Dykes has left for an undisclosed fee. Davies and his side wished the Scotland international all the best for the future.
Despite being unable to solidify a spot in Birmingham’s starting XI throughout his 18-month spell, Dykes was a handy servant. The 30-year-old scored some pivotal goes for Blues, notably late on in the Vertu Trophy semi-final against Bradford City last term and in the 98th minute of this August’s last-gasp 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.
It certainly wasn’t all sunshine and roses for Dykes at St Andrew’s as he was largely an impact substitute rather than a starter. The former Queens Park Rangers man also suffered two long-term injuries, first damaging ankle ligaments before sustaining a nasty calf issue.
Dykes has remained a model professional throughout and deserves a decent run. Charlton, with their two-up-top formation, could guarantee more minutes. It may be tricky to force a way into the XI initially with Charlie Kelman, Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn currently sharing the responsibilities at The Valley, but it’s a challenge Dykes is more than capable of taking on.