Ipswich Town have turned a corner in recent weeks after a difficult start to life back in the Championship. Following relegation from the Premier League, Kieran McKenna’s side failed to win any of their first four league matches, struggling to adjust to the demands of the second tier. But the tide has since shifted, with the Tractor Boys picking up three wins from their last four games, including a memorable 3-1 victory over Norwich City — their first East Anglian derby triumph in 16 years.
This resurgence has pushed Ipswich closer to the play-off positions, collecting 13 points from eight matches and holding a game in hand on several rivals due to their postponed fixture against Blackburn Rovers. With momentum building, attention is already turning toward the January transfer window, as Ipswich look to fine-tune their squad for a potential promotion push.
While McKenna is expected to target reinforcements to strengthen key areas, departures are also on the horizon — particularly for fringe players struggling for minutes.
Ben Johnson tipped to leave Ipswich in January
According to Football League World’s Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin, defender Ben Johnson could be among those heading for the exit in January. The former West Ham United full-back has found opportunities hard to come by since arriving at Portman Road, largely due to the club’s depth in wide defensive positions.
“The elephant in the room at the moment is Ben Johnson,” Wilkin explained. “He came in from the Premier League, likely on big wages, and he’s very versatile — but he’s not getting any real game time, not even off the bench.”
With Darnell Furlong and Ashley Young competing for the right-back spot and Leif Davis locked in on the left, Johnson has struggled to break into the side.
“He’s probably one we’d have liked to move on in the summer,” Wilkin added. “Fulham were reportedly interested for a couple of million, and that kind of deal would still make sense. He’s not featuring, so moving him on and freeing up wages seems the right call.”
Time for Johnson to seek a new challenge
At 25 years old, Johnson needs regular football — something he’s unlikely to find at Ipswich this season. After starting the opening two games, he’s since slipped down the pecking order, and with McKenna favoring more experienced or established options, his route back into the side appears blocked.
Given his reported £30,000-per-week salary and limited contributions, a loan or permanent exit in January would benefit both player and club. Johnson would get the chance to revive his career elsewhere, while Ipswich could reinvest the saved wages into strengthening areas more vital to their promotion charge.
As Ipswich continue to build momentum and eye a swift return to the Premier League, trimming the squad of unused assets like Johnson could be a smart piece of business — ensuring the club stays financially balanced and competitively sharp heading into the crucial second half of the season.