£30k-a-week Ipswich Town star tipped for January exit - He could get "frustrated" | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich fan pundit has named one player that could depart the club in the January transfer window

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town underwent a big change in their first team squad upon their return to the Championship.

The Tractor Boys enjoyed just one year in the Premier League, coming 19th under Kieran McKenna to suffer relegation straight back to the second tier.

Multiple players departed Portman Road as a consequence of their league finish, including big names like Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap.

However, the Suffolk outfit were still able to hold onto players like Leif Davis and Jack Clarke, while bringing in a number of fresh faces to the squad as well.

Ben Johnson departure claim

When asked which one player at the club could seek a January exit, FLW’s Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin named Ben Johnson.

He believes that the £30k-a-week defender is now firmly behind three men in the team with the arrivals of Ashley Young and Darnell Furlong in the summer, so a departure in the winter market could make sense, especially if Premier League interest arises.

“I think there was quite a lot of change this summer, so I don’t think there’ll be too many players wanting away,” Wilkin told Football League World.

“I think Leif Davis has committed his future there.

“And one that could potentially move is Ben Johnson, with Ashley Young and Darnell Furlong both coming in at the right-back spot and him reportedly on a lot of wages.

“I’m not sure where that leaves him, he did start the first three games of the season, but whether he’s now third choice right-back or whether he’s seen as the left-back backup option for Davis if we’re playing a more inverted style.

“But, there was rumoured Premier League interest, so I wonder if he gets a move that way.

“I think he may end up being a little bit frustrated with playing time because I can’t see him getting in ahead of those other three mentioned, so may have to end up being a bit-part player.”

Ipswich have endured a difficult start to the new Championship season, with the team sitting 20th in the table after the opening four games.

McKenna’s side have failed to win any of those fixtures, losing one and drawing three.

Their next game comes against another struggling side in Sheffield United, with the teams set to face on 12 September in an 8pm kick-off.

Ben Johnson will have suitors if available in January

If Johnson isn’t getting game time at Portman Road between now and January, then a sale when the market opens could make sense.

He is someone with plenty of experience at the highest level, having played 92 times in the Premier League in his career so far.

The arrivals of Young and Furlong will give him competition for game time, but he could still have a role to play in McKenna’s side.

But if a suitable offer does arrive in January, then it might make a lot of sense for Ipswich to cash in if he’s so far down the pecking order and not a guaranteed starter.