After selling prolific striker Richard Kone to Queens Park Rangers for a fee of £5 million, the Wycombe Wanderers are now seeking a replacement with League One experience.
Having got off to a poor start to their campaign, the Blues look to sprinkle some more experienced players into their squad, bolstering it ahead of the transfer window closing.
In Kone’s absence, Daniel Udoh has led the frontline for the Chairboys, but Mike Dodds is still seemingly interested in securing one final signing before the close of the window.
Who Is The Replacement
It seems Wycombe Wanderers have been offered free agent Chuks Aneke. Aneke, formally of clubs such as Birmingham, Arsenal U21 and MK Dons, was released by his former side Charlton Athletic at the end of last season after only playing 26 games and scoring one goal while grabbing six assists.
The Nigerian centre-forward has over 230 League One appearances to his name, scoring 57 times and assisting 33. Additionally, he has 38 Championship appearances, scoring a total of three goals. Nevertheless the 32-year-old boasts an impressive amount of experience in EFL football.
Unfortunately, Aneke’s game has been plagued with injury over the last season, seeing him miss 16 league games alone, meaning he had limited appearances off the bench when he was fit. Although, when fit, Aneke had scored some vital goals for Charlton.
What To Expect From The Forward
Standing at an impressive six foot three inches, Chuks Aneke makes a great target man with the player able to use his physicality to shield the ball, while using his protective frame to hold off opposing players makes him a great fit for a physically demanding league. His aerial ability is solid. Although, he’s not a traditional header-heavy striker and is more likely to chest the ball down or cushion it for teammates.
Despite his build, Aneke has surprising amounts of finesse to his game. He has a great first touch, blended with composure when under pressure, even being able to dribble in and out of tight spaces. He often drops deep into midfield to link play, acting almost like a false nine or deep-lying forward in possession-heavy systems.
He uses this, most likely, due to his superb vision, to pick out difficult passes other forwards may not see. His ability to execute clever flicks and link up with teammates performing one-twos sets him apart from the rest of the field. Although, Aneke seems to thrive in a system where he is not the sole goal scoring threat, but rather a connector in attacking transitions.
How Could Chuks Aneke Slot In At Wycombe Wanderers?
The centre-forward could prove to be a good pick up, being especially useful in physical matches, where his height could be exploited in Wycombe’s hopes for a playoff finish. Although Aneke has shown he ideally needs a system where he has players running off him for him to support.
Wycombe Wanderers may choose to look out for partnerships involving Daniel Udoh with the signing of Aneke. The current starting striker for Wycombe Wanderers has more pace and can get behind defences. Aneke could serve as the ball‑player, allowing Udoh to stretch defences.
An Impressive Signing?
Aneke could prove to be an impressive signing for Wycombe Wanderers. He would be extremely cost effective, being a free agent, he additionally knows this division extremely well, having spent the last two seasons in it, and even more in the past.
Although, he may not be classed as a serial goal scorer, he can bring extremely valuable experience and depth to Wycombe Wanderers, as manager Mike Dodds searches for a more seasoned forward.
