Ipswich Town should look at a permanent switch in January for Brandon Williams.
The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One in style last season, but many anticipated them to struggle to maintain that manner a league higher.
Kieran McKenna, on the other hand, has demonstrated that it is possible and has done so with essentially the same team as last season.
Ipswich Town are in second place with 28 points, two points behind champions Leicester City and eight points ahead of third-place Preston North End.
Brandon Williams, who is on loan from Manchester United, has been instrumental in the club’s early success.
How has Brandon Williams performed for Ipswich Town so far this season?
Williams experienced a significant drop in his position within Manchester United’s hierarchy during the previous season, where he only managed one appearance for the club, and that too as a late substitute in the EFL Cup.
While the defender featured prominently in the team’s pre-season tour of the United States, it was evident that Manchester United was open to letting him go, either on a permanent or temporary basis. As a result, an agreement was reached for Williams to leave Old Trafford, and he subsequently joined Ipswich on loan for the 2023/24 season.
Since his arrival at Ipswich, the 23-year-old has participated in 10 matches for the Tractor Boys. While he hasn’t secured a regular starting spot yet, he has consistently delivered strong performances. Notably, Williams has already netted two goals for the club, with both goals coming in recent games against Huddersfield Town and Preston North End.
Williams appears to be rediscovering his form at Portman Road, and considering the growing likelihood of his future being away from Old Trafford, Ipswich might explore the possibility of extending his stay during the January transfer window.
Why should Ipswich Town look to agree to a permanent deal for Brandon Williams in January?
As indicated earlier, it appears probable that Manchester United will consider allowing Williams to permanently leave the club after his loan spell at Ipswich.
Despite facing their own injury crisis, Manchester United could have chosen to retain the 23-year-old for the season, but they opted not to, which likely reflects his standing in Erik ten Hag’s plans.
Williams has been with Portman Road for a relatively short time, but he has performed reasonably well thus far. He has scored a couple of goals and is averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, and 0.4 clearances per game in his defensive duties.
Additionally, he averages 25.8 passes per game, with an 82% success rate, and 0.4 of those passes have been deemed key according to WhoScored.com.
Given his improving performances, Ipswich may want to consider making his temporary stay permanent in January. This is because Williams appears to be an ideal fit in McKenna’s team, and if he continues to perform well, his market value could increase by the end of the season when he returns to Old Trafford.
Therefore, even if Ipswich hasn’t secured promotion by January, making Williams a permanent addition to their squad would be a prudent move, whether they compete in the top flight next season or not. Completing the deal in January might potentially save them several million pounds, as Manchester United could raise the transfer fee in the summer.
Furthermore, McKenna’s presence at Ipswich could give the club leverage when it comes to signing Williams. If the manager were to depart at the end of the season, it could jeopardize their chances of securing the player on a permanent basis.
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