Ipswich Town told Sheffield United transfer should have been avoided | OneFootball

FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit has commented on why the Tractor Boys decided to loan winger Chiedozie Ogbene to Sheffield United.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have had a poor start to the Championship campaign after being tipped to lift the second-tier crown.

After instantly dropping back down to the Championship following relegation from the Premier League, it’s been a tough reintroduction for Kieran McKenna’s side, who are yet to taste victory from their four league outings - posting three draws and one defeat.

The Tractor Boys have been trying to deal with inevitable cuts made following relegation, with the likes of Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson and Nathan Broadhead departing for sizeable fees.

Ipswich sanctioned a further 11 exits during the summer transfer window, with winger Chiedozie Ogbene securing a loan move away from Portman Road to join Sheffield United, despite starting the first two games of the season.

The switch has been criticised by some connected with Ipswich for selling to a direct promotion rival, despite the Blades being rooted to the foot of the table after a disastrous start to the tenure of Ruben Selles.

With this news in mind, FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit has reflected on why the club decided to shift Ogbene to the exit door, and whether it was the correct decision.

Chiedozie Ogbene’s latest Achilles injury reason behind Ipswich Town departure

Speaking to Football League World, Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin has admitted that Chiedozie Ogbene’s latest Achilles tendon injury, which ruled him out for nine months, was a key part of Ipswich’s decision to let him leave, particularly when they have another right-wing option in Wes Burns recovering from a long-term problem.

However, Wilkin also revealed his disappointment to see him depart, but doesn’t view Sheffield United as promotion contenders.

Adam said: “There was lots of talk at the start of this summer about Ogbene being like a new signing, and a lot of hype around how well he could do, and I think he performed fairly well in the two games that he started the season.

"But it's one of those where with Burns and him having both suffered cruciate long-term tears, you didn't really want to be carrying two right-wingers who are building back fitness, which is why we went into the market for Kasey McAteer to provide that similar sort of profile, and he's definitely got more development time. We can't really get rid of Wes Burns by the time he comes back fit.

“I would have liked to have kept Chiedozie. I think he did come back looking really strong, but I can see why the decision has been made to loan him out.

“I know some people have been saying it is to a promotion rival, but I've looked at Sheffield United’s squad and the start to the season they've had and I don't think they are this year.

"They've lost a lot of players and Selles seems to be struggling to implement his new style, so I don't imagine that Ipswich would have been looking at them and saying that this is a promotion rival that we're loaning out here.”

Chiedozie Ogbene can return to his best at Sheffield United

Cheidozie Ogbene will naturally feel disappointment by leaviing Ipswich Town, as he would have backed himself to be an ideal replacement for the outgoing Omari Hutchinson.

But it wasn’t viewed like that in Kieran McKenna’s eyes, and he believes he will benefit at another second-tier club with more regular minutes, given Kasey McAteer would have been strong competition to dislodge.

All Ogbene can do now is show McKenna what he is missing, and Ipswich will be hoping it doesn’t impact their promotion chances if he does begin to fire on all cylinders.

Sheffield United's revival is unlikely to emerge under Selles, but they could bounce back under a new regime, and if Ogbene is at the heart of that, then there will be questions raised as to why they loaned him out to a team that has the capability to challenge at the very top end of the division.

You feel this loan spell will be imperative to any future Ogbene holds in Suffolk, with the winger needing to show that he can produce and contribute regularly at this level.