Ipswich Town could land transfer windfall next summer if Chris Wilder works his Sheffield United magic | OneFootball

Chiedozie Ogbene made the switch to Sheffield United on loan late in the transfer window

News of Chris Wilder’s return at Sheffield United could be welcome at Ipswich Town for one key reason involving Chiedozie Ogbene.

The winger missed most of last season through injury after making the switch from Luton Town with an achilles injury, and a desire for regular minutes lead to him going out on loan to the Blades during the summer window.

It’s been a disastrous start to the new campaign for the South Yorkshire outfit, who have turned to Wilder to come back just months after he was replaced by Ruben Selles in the Bramall Lane dugout.

If the 57-year-old can help get the Republic of Ireland international back up to his best, then it could net the Tractor Boys a sizable sum with a potential permanent exit in 2026.

Ogbene is a Premier League experienced player from his time at Luton Town, but an Achilles issue meant that he only played five times in the top flight for Kieran McKenna’s team last year.

Chris Wilder can get the best out of Chiedozie Ogbene at Sheffield United

The return of Wilder to Sheffield United should help steer the team clear of their horrendous form, which has them currently sitting bottom of the Championship table after five games.

Ogbene was unavailable for selection last week after his arrival at the club, in which they lost 5-0 to his parent club at Portman Road.

But after playing twice during the recent international break, he has shown that he is ready to get into the side with Wilder now in charge.

The 28-year-old is a versatile asset for the club, as he is capable of playing across the right flank, and he could even play through the middle if required.

A spot at right-wing is a natural place for him to take if Wilder sticks with the back four that he utilised for most of last season, but he could yet revert to a back three that he used at Bramall Lane in the past, in which Ogbene would be a comfortable option to have at right-wing-back.

In Ogbene’s last season in the Championship, he contributed eight goals and four assists in 39 appearances for a Rotherham United side that fought against relegation to League One.

He managed the step up to the Premier League and didn’t look out of place for the Hatters, even as they were relegated under Rob Edwards, and he played some of his football as a wing-back - showing he can be an option should Wilder opt to utilise his past formation.

If Wilder can get him playing to his best again, then there’s no doubt Ogbene can play a pivotal role in turning around the club’s form.

Chiedozie Ogbene is a valuable asset at his best - Ipswich Town could make their money back next summer

Soccer Football - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Fulham - Portman Road, Ipswich, Britain - August 31, 2024 Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz in action with Ipswich Town's Chiedozie Ogbene REUTERS/Tony O Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR A

It was a smart move by Ipswich to sign Ogbene when they were promoted to the Premier League for £8 million, taking advantage of Luton’s decline, but injury struck and he never really got the chance to prove himself.

However, there’s no denying that he could be a very valuable player at Championship level if he can get back to his best.

Game-time was likely to be limited at Portman Road thanks to signings such as Sindre Walle Egeli and Kasey McAteer, so the move away makes a lot of sense.

It’s unlikely he would’ve been afforded the chance to get the minutes he needs with the Suffolk outfit to rediscover himself due to the competition in McKenna’s attack.

That competition at Sheffield United is way less of a problem, with Andre Brooks not quite performing well enough to keep that spot over a fully-fit Ogbene.

While it remains to be seen if the winger can ever earn his way back into McKenna’s plans, he could still provide a major windfall next summer if he can strut his stuff under Wilder for the Blades.