Ipswich Town: Don Goodman on potential Sammie Szmodics move

The Blues are locked in something of a saga as they try to sign Szmodics from Blackburn, with Rovers boss John Eustace yesterday revealing his frustrations at how long the deal is taking.

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But Goodman says Town boss Kieran McKenna would be able to get even more out of a man who bagged 27 goals in the Championship last term, comparing it to Chuba Akpom's move from Middlesbrough to Ajax last season.

"Yeah, it's a fascinating one with Sammie Szmodics, he's one of those players who had the season of a lifetime and he now needs to follow it up," he told Grovesnor Sport. 

Ipswich Town are trying to sign Sammie Szmodics (Image: PA)
"Chuba Akpom was the same in 2022/2023. You never saw him scoring 28 championship goals.

"Obviously, he then got his move to Ajax where I read that he's scored 15 goals in 38 games. So it's not bad, but obviously Ajax didn't have the season that they would have wanted.

"Ipswich would seem a good move for Sam Szmodics because he'd be working under a really talented, excellent coach and somebody who could, even though he’s 28-years-old, could get a bit more out of him.

"So it would be a win-win. He would be desperate to prove that he's capable of playing in the Premier League.”

Town have also been linked with a move for Jack Clarke (Image: PA)
Sunderland's saggy-socked wing wizard Jack Clarke has also been linked with a move to Town this summer, and ex-Mackem Goodman believes he's 'primed for the Premier League' - though he'd hate to see him leave the Stadium of Light.

“That wide position is clearly an area that Ipswich are keen to strengthen," Goodman insisted. "Obviously they were after Jaden Philogene who has now gone to Aston Villa. 

“Jack Clarke’s £10 million to move to Spurs didn't work out, but it largely didn't work out because of the illness that he picked up during the early stages of his time there. He got really, really sick and ill and it took him ages to fully recover. 

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“So, it's been lovely the last couple of seasons to watch him tearing up the Championship and getting back to the player that we saw at Leeds United when he broke in very, very young and you thought, ‘Wow, what a player we've got here.’ 

"That was five years ago and I think now at 23, with the experience, with the ups and downs that we've just mentioned, I think he's primed for the Premier League.

"I just feel at Ipswich, under Kieran McKenna’s guidance and style of play he'd do well and I think it would be a win-win. 

"Clarke’s track record over the last couple of seasons has been terrific. He's a wide player who goes both ways, outside and inside, and not only scores goals but assists as well. 

"Because it’s my beloved Sunderland, I'd hate to see him go but ultimately you have to be realistic in life sometimes and I think at this moment in time, he's Premier League-ready and if I were Ipswich, I'd certainly be very interested in bringing him to the club.”