Brighton and Hove Albion’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, has suggested that Ipswich Town loanee Jeremy Sarmiento may not make a return to Portman Road next season. De Zerbi believes that Sarmiento “needs to play in a different context” to fully utilize his potential.
Ipswich Town’s incredible back-to-back promotions to the Premier League were in large part due to crucial goals from Sarmiento, including a late winner against Southampton. Despite his impact, the Ecuadorian was not a regular starter under Kieran McKenna.
De Zerbi praised Sarmiento’s versatility as a No.10 or winger but emphasized the need for him to play in a specific style of football. With Sarmiento having played a limited role in both Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion’s promotion campaigns, De Zerbi is cautious about the attacker’s future at the Tractor Boys.
If West Bromwich Albion also secure a promotion, Sarmiento will have indirectly played a role in two Championship clubs’ promotion but without significant playing time. With a lack of minutes per appearance this season, De Zerbi’s hesitance to send Sarmiento back to Ipswich Town is understandable.
