Barnsley should swoop for Ipswich Town player to solve clear defensive issue | OneFootball

Barnsley haven't been the strongest at the back through two games, and Elkan Baggott can help solidify that

Going forward, Barnsley have started the League One season impeccably, scoring three in each of their two wins to open the 2025/26 campaign.

However, a defence which, last season, conceded a fifth-worst 73 goals hasn't been strengthened over the summer.

Jack Shepherd came into the side on opening day after a productive season helping Bradford City to League One promotion last term, but other than that, the central defence core consists of players who were at the club last season.

And the Tykes have, therefore, looked leaky at times at the back already this season, conceding several unconverted chances on opening day against Plymouth Argyle, before having to come from 2-0 down at home against Burton Albion to take all three points, and then conceding a couple once more in the EFL Cup against League Two's Fleetwood Town.

Defensive reinforcements will be needed between now and September's deadline, and a loan deal for Ipswich Town academy graduate Elkan Baggott could be a move which Conor Hourihane should consider.

Elkan Baggott is in desperate need of regular gametime, and can find that at Barnsley

Indonesian international Baggott has spent most of his time in England at Ipswich, but unfortunately, he has become a victim of the rapid ascent of the Tractor Boys up the divisions, which has made it increasingly difficult for a youngster to break into the side.

The 22-year-old has played just two league games throughout his time so far at Portman Road, and those were towards the back end of Kieran McKenna's first half-season in charge in the 2021/22 season.

The following year saw the club begin their back-to-back promotion campaigns into the Premier League, and Baggott played just four EFL Cup matches for Ipswich during the rise.

A few loan spells have come the way of the 22-year-old, but he's failed to properly prove himself away from Portman Road. He started the 2022/23 season well in League Two at Gillingham, and was plucked out and placed into the third tier at Cheltenham Town, but immediately fell out of favour and made just one appearance in a 4-0 home defeat to Barnsley.

Since then, a couple of loan moves to League One in the latter half of the 2023/24 season and the whole of the 2024/25 season followed. He looked set to have a good full year with Blackpool last term, but injuries kept him out from August until the new year.

The Indonesian international was well-favoured by Steve Bruce last season when fit, however, and has the potential to be a major player in a League One side this season if he can stay injury-free.

He won't get the game time he needs at Ipswich, and would therefore benefit from a loan move to the third tier to a Barnsley side wanting to challenge for promotion.

Elkan Baggott may be what Barnsley need at the back

Barnsley are in need of defensive reinforcement, especially given the injury sustained to Marc Roberts on opening day, which will keep him out for a couple of months.

Additionally, with the number of goals and assists currently amongst Barnsley's ranks provided by the likes of Davis Kiellor-Dunn and David McGoldrick in the forward areas, and even Adam Phillips and Jon Russell in midfield, the focus, if on anything, towards the end of the transfer window, should be on players who can make them more well-rounded on the pitch.

At six-foot-five, Baggott is a towering, imperious figure who, if given the opportunity, could excel at Oakwell.

And given Barnsley's great goalscoring start to the season in both league and cup, ensuring the defence stays solid throughout the campaign may be the key to legitimising their promotion charge in Conor Hourihane's first full term in the Oakwell dugout.