Ipswich Town outcast tipped for Championship transfer after Sheffield United struggles | OneFootball

Ogbene has openly stated his ambition to play in the Premier League with Ipswich Town next season

Ipswich Town are on their way back to the Premier League, and Kieran McKenna will be well underway in planning for what his squad may look like next campaign.

It's three promotions in four years for Ipswich, with their return to the top flight having been confirmed. Although at times it wasn't totally convincing, supporters of the club won't particularly care.

The Tractor Boys took their fate down to the final day, where a 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers was enough to see Portman Road become the host of Premier League football once again next season.

Northern Irish head coach McKenna will be working around the clock during the off-season to prepare his squad for the upcoming season, and will likely already have somewhat of an idea of what his side may look like, taking into consideration contracts expiring and loanees leaving the club and returning to the club.

One of those returning loanees is Irish winger Chiedozie Ogbene, who has had a less-than-ideal campaign during his 12-month stay in South Yorkshire with Sheffield United, but has outlined his ambitions to stay in Suffolk next season.

Chiedozie Ogbene's ambition is to stay with Ipswich Town next season

Irish winger Ogbene has had a rough few years, having suffered relegation with both Luton Town and Ipswich, spending nine months out with an Achilles tendon injury, and barely featuring on loan for Sheffield United this season.

Despite this, the 29-year-old is optimistic in his hopes of returning to the fold at Ipswich, saying: "If Ipswich opt to go for a transitional-based style I would hope that I would be part of the plans. If not I’ll always be ready for whatever.

"I think I might be of use in the Premier League with the way I play, so hopefully, but listen, I’m always prepared for everything."

Football League World's Ipswich fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, has shared their thoughts on Ogbene's recent comments and whether they think the Irishman has any chance of remaining at the club in the Premier League next season.

Adam told FLW: "I think that's one of those press quotes that you kind of have to say as a returning player, and I think Kieran McKenna is such a good man-manager that he'll have told everyone to come back fit and round to go during the pre-season because you never know what can happen. You never know what injuries can happen.

"Obviously, Ogbene was signed in the last season in the Premier League with a view to him having assets there. The main reason he didn't play in the Championship was due to his injury recovery and his fitness.

"So who knows? If he does have a good summer, comes back and is fit and firing in pre-season, he could well end up being a squad player. Stranger things have happened in football.

Kieran McKenna must make a big call on Chiedozie Ogbene's Ipswich Town future amid recent comments

With Ogbene not shying away from staying at Portman Road following Ipswich's promotion, McKenna must carefully consider where the Irishman's future lies.

Under contract until the summer of 2028, having signed a four-year deal when he made his £8 million move from Luton in the summer of 2024, Ogbene may be difficult to shift permanently if that is the decision McKenna comes to, unless the Tractor Boys are willing to take a big loss now.

Although they almost certainly won't be receiving much of that £8 million they paid for him back anyway, given his age and recent history.

With just one goal and one assist in 15 appearances on loan with Sheffield United this season, it's not exactly statistics that scream Premier League, especially being a winger.

Time will tell his fate, and McKenna will have a big say in it.