Ipswich Town man 'hasn't been an awful signing' - but Birmingham City may have last laugh | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich fan pundit has had his say on Chuba Akpom's underwhelming season so far at Portman Road

The final few days before the Championship campaign opened with Ipswich Town's trip to Birmingham City were dominated by the transfer saga of Chuba Akpom.

The 2022/23 Golden Boot winner was once again on the move after his two-year stint at Ajax petered out, and it seemed like he was set to make a return to the second tier. Understandably, there were several interested parties.

While it seemed likely that Birmingham were going to win the race, after a failed attempt from Akpom's former club, Middlesbrough, Ipswich made a late move to hijack the deal, and the 30-year-old chose to go to Portman Road instead.

Evidently, though, the frontman hasn't lived up to the hype that the transfer drama and his previous goalscoring ventures in the Championship set up, with Akpom struggling to get on the field at times, let alone on the scoresheet.

The strength in depth in attacking areas that Kieran McKenna has had at his disposal at Ipswich this season has reduced the 30-year-old to a versatile third-choice option in the midst of this current promotion push, which has been seen by many as a disappointing waste of a player of his qualities.

Ipswich Town fan pundit appreciates Chuba Akpom's attacking versatility - brands loanee a "good option" for Kieran McKenna

In the Ipswich camp, though, they're appreciative of their depth, and are happy that they have someone like Akpom, with the experience, versatility and goalscoring nous to come in and maintain the high standards in this promotion push if injuries hit late on in the season.

Adam Wilkin, FLW's Ipswich fan pundit, reflects that sentiment and still believes that the 30-year-old could make an impact between now and the end of the campaign.

"I'm not actually overly disappointed with Akpom's loan," he told Football League World.

"He may be disappointed himself, but from an Ipswich perspective, to have a good third choice number 10, left-winger, or striker, a versatile option if injuries hit at any point, then that's a good option to have. As a loan player, too, you're not necessarily bought in."

There is an obligatory buy clause worth £7 million if Ipswich secure promotion to the Premier League this season, which was part of the loan agreement with Ajax. So, if the Tractor Boys do get promoted, then they may need to buy in a little more on Akpom.

If he can chip in with a few goals to help swing the race for second place in their favour come the end of the season, though, then he'll be more than worth it.

"I think from the perspective of us maybe wanting more from him, then we could be disappointed, but other players have come in and started performing," Wilkin continued.

"I don't think he's been an awful signing, and I still think he can have an impact off the bench towards the end of the season and maybe score some important goals."

Chuba Akpom could have been a more focal point elsewhere this season, but at Ipswich, he could reach the Premier League

From a neutral perspective, there have been many Championship fans who have been disappointed in the fact that they haven't been able to see the dominance that Akpom possessed in his 28-goal campaign three years ago.

Perhaps, though, he may have found that form in a Birmingham side, where you'd imagine he'd have been one of the focal points of the attack, rather than sharing the spotlight with multiple talented frontmen.

Akpom hasn't played in the Premier League since his days in the Arsenal academy back over a decade ago, and perhaps the thought process of his move to Portman Road was that he'd be able to return to the top-flight and test himself again at that level in his thirties.

However, at Ipswich, he's been a useful squad player and one that, if Kieran McKenna's side don't go up this season, will likely be sent back to Ajax with the view of moving elsewhere in the summer.

If they do secure an immediate promotion back to the Premier League, though, then Akpom will be a top-flight player in England once more due to the buy clause in the loan deal, but it'd be intriguing to see what part, if any, he would be playing for a prospective Premier League side.