This article is a part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series where FLW Fan Pundits share personal opinions on the latest news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Flynn Downes has made a name for himself as a reliable midfielder in the upper echelons of the Championship. But could his career have taken a different path if he had stayed at Ipswich Town a bit longer?
Downes emerged in the Ipswich squad during their relegation from the Championship in the 2018/19 season. He continued to play a significant role in the following seasons, appearing in 29 matches in their first year back in League One and 24 matches in the subsequent season. With Ipswich finishing 11th and 9th consecutively, it seemed unlikely they would return to the Championship soon, prompting Downes to seek a move. In August 2021, he transferred to Swansea City for £1.5 million. A year later, West Ham United acquired him for £12 million, and after a successful loan spell at Southampton in the 2023/24 season, Southampton purchased him for up to £18 million following their promotion to the Premier League.
Interestingly, Ipswich, under Kieran McKenna, achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2024 alongside Downes and Southampton. McKenna arrived at Ipswich just four months after Downes left for Swansea, leading to speculation about how the Englishman’s career might have progressed if he had remained with the club.
Adam Wilkin, FLW’s Ipswich fan pundit, reflected on Downes’ departure and his impact on Ipswich during his time at the club. Wilkin highlighted Downes’ talent and desire to progress in his career, despite leaving on somewhat strained terms. As Ipswich experienced a resurgence in League One, some fans wondered about Downes’ potential return to the club, particularly under McKenna’s guidance.
Considering McKenna’s success with Ipswich, there is speculation about how Downes’ development might have differed if he had continued with Ipswich a while longer. Downes, now a proven Championship player with potential to excel in the Premier League, has demonstrated his value with significant transfer fees. However, fans are left considering the “what ifs” of his career path if he had remained with Ipswich and benefited from McKenna’s coaching.
Looking back, it’s uncertain how Downes’ career would have unfolded had he stayed at Ipswich, but the potential for further growth under McKenna’s mentorship remains an intriguing aspect to ponder. Though successful today, Downes’ career trajectory could have taken a different turn if he had continued his development at Ipswich before moving to higher levels of English football.
