Journalists Andy Warren, Stuart Watson and Ross Halls have been discussing the latest Ipswich Town news and rumours during the latest episode of the Kings of Anglia podcast.
The panel discussed Flynn Downes’ future and whether he is likely to leave the club after the departure of Andre Dozzell, who joined Championship side QPR earlier in the week.
Warren, Watson and Halls said during ‘The Kings of Anglia podcast that they’d be ‘disappointed’ and ‘sad’ if Flynn was to depart, but claimed that the club can’t stand in his way if a club meets Ipswich’s valuation for the 22-year-old.
Warren said: “I’d be more disappointed to see Flynn move on. Flynn Downes is a player I absolutely love watching, and it feels a real shame if he doesn’t fulfil what he should perhaps have fulfilled in an Ipswich shirt. That’s where I’m at with Flynn, but I can fully see from both sides why this one might happen.”
Watson added: “He’s effectively contracted for two more years, it’s the last year of his contract, but Ipswich hold the option to extend that.
“I think history shows standing in the way of players who have had a sniff of going higher up the chain and blocking that rarely works out well. Rarely do you then get the best out of that player again.
“It was it was a mantra of Mick McCarthy’s, as soon as a player’s head is slightly turned, there’s no point standing in their way – get your best deal and move on, and I think Paul Cook will have that same mentality, he’s talked about players being totally committed to this football club that are all in on the vision of this football club.”
TIF thoughts on Flynn Downes’ potential departure…
Downes received interest from Crystal Palace last season, with the midfielder handing in a transfer request, so it would be no surprise if the player wants to leave should a Premier League or Championship club come knocking.
Much like Dozzell, Downes is a product of the Ipswich Town academy and one the club would presumably prefer to keep.
Downes, who can play any role in the centre of midfield, has struggled with injury this season, only playing 24 times for Ipswich in League One after suffering with a knee injury that has troubled him since October.
The 22-year-old described this past season as ‘horrible’ and he’ll be hoping to put his injury woes behind him, but will that have an impact on the clubs interested in the midfielder this summer?
The East Anglian Times are reporting that Paul Cook has told Flynn that he is allowed to leave this summer, but will he get his big move to a Premier League club?