'Surprise' claim made as Ipswich Town seal fresh deal for £10k-a-week star | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich fan pundit has had his say on Jack Taylor's contract extension at Portman Road.

Ipswich Town have tied down Jack Taylor on a new deal, and some fans at Portman Road are slightly surprised.

The 27-year-old has mainly operated as a bench option since arriving from Peterborough United in 2023, starting 14 of his 69 league games at Portman Road, but his availability and willingness to perform that role has landed him a new three-year deal at the club.

Taylor, who is estimated to earn a base salary of £10k-a-week at Portman Road, has plenty of experience being one of the main options in the middle of the park in the second tier, having done so with the Posh in the 2021/22 campaign, and to have that dependability deep in the squad is something that any side craves.

However, the extension of someone who isn't an important starter in the side usually isn't done this early in the season, so Adam Wilkin, FLW's Ipswich fan pundit, feels that this deal must be beneficial for all parties.

Ipswich Town fan pundit discusses Jack Taylor's new deal

Wilkin has assessed both sides of the deal and has put forward reasons why he feels both Ipswich and Taylor would have been happy taking the new contract.

"It's a bit of a surprise to me that they have offered Jack Taylor a new deal," Wilkin said. "As he's currently sitting at the fourth-choice midfielder at the club."

At 27, Taylor is entering what many perceive to be the prime years of his career, yet he seems content with being a backup at a top Championship side, rather than playing for someone further down the league.

Ultimately, his qualities would make him an attractive asset for most rival sides in the second tier, so Wilkin feels that the club have ensured they don't lose him for nothing.

"From the club's perspective, it's protecting an asset, as giving him a longer contract makes it more likely to get an actual fee for him," he explained.

"Then, from the player's perspective, maybe there's a release clause in there that would allow him to move on? But from the interview he's done, he seems really settled and happy at the club."

Ipswich Town fan pundit happy with Jack Taylor's role in the squad - "there's not much better"

Ultimately, you need quality squad depth to make a push for the top two in a long Championship season, and having Taylor waiting in the wings in case of fatigue or injuries, instead of unproven youth talent, could provide the difference for Ipswich this season.

Taylor's come off the back of a campaign where, despite only starting four times, he made 32 Premier League appearances. Kieran McKenna's clearly happy putting his faith in the 27-year-old, and therefore wants to keep him around in a role that, for many other sides, is rather expendable.

"In terms of a fourth-choice midfielder, I don't think you're going to get much better value for money than Jack Taylor," Wilkin continued.

"He played a good amount in the Premier League last season off the bench, and he's had a good pre-season this season.

"I personally do think it makes sense, and it's probably a good deal for all parties."

Perhaps the surprise solely comes from the fact that Taylor, who is clearly good enough to walk into several different Championship sides, is happy to be sitting on the bench most weeks at Portman Road, because if the money's right, why wouldn't Kieran McKenna want someone like Taylor to back up his backups?

The 27-year-old has played his part to perfection since arriving from Peterborough, and if all goes to plan, he'll be playing a supporting role in a Premier League promotion once again — a role in which he is okay to play.