Intent on restoring Blues to the Championship, Jutkiewicz had no interest in calling time on his playing career this time last year. Now that debt has been paid, the 36-year-old striker might be thinking differently.
Blues’ Player of the Decade has seen it all in nine years. Relegation battle after relegation battle, his ninth season in Royal Blue has unquestionably been the most enjoyable – even if he hasn’t played the role that he thought he might.
Jutkiewicz has only made 14 substitute appearances in League One for Blues this season and yet his goal against Barnsley, the sixth in a 6-2 victory, will probably go down as the moment of it.
Unbridled joy swept across the stands at St Andrew’s. You have never seen such scenes for such a meaningless goal on paper.
Blues’ Player of the Decade has seen it all in nine years. Relegation battle after relegation battle, his ninth season in Royal Blue has unquestionably been the most enjoyable – even if he hasn’t played the role that he thought he might.
Jutkiewicz has only made 14 substitute appearances in League One for Blues this season and yet his goal against Barnsley, the sixth in a 6-2 victory, will probably go down as the moment of it.
Unbridled joy swept across the stands at St Andrew’s. You have never seen such scenes for such a meaningless goal on paper.
But that celebration meant something to the people who were part of it.
It was a celebration of a footballer who has given his all to a club during one of the most challenging periods in its history. A player who carried the burden on his shoulders when others around him wilted and wanted no part in it.
And Jutkiewicz has never expected or craved credit for doing so.
He has almost been embarrassed by the constant chanting of his name as his teammates have swept aside the competition in League One this season.
On Sunday, when Blues take to St Andrew’s for the final time this term, Jutkiewicz will no doubt take the acclaim again.
There is an acceptance that this season could be his last with his contract due to expire at the end of June. What he does next is anyone’s guess.
Blues are keen to look after the striker and find a role for him behind-the-scenes if he does decide to hang up his boots.
With 356 games for Blues to his name, Jutkiewicz can leave the club where he found it: in the Championship. Given all that’s gone on since Jutkiewicz pitched up in Birmingham back in 2016, that is the best anyone could have hoped for.
