THE £17M FORGOTTEN MAN: Ipswich Town Urged to Highjack Chelsea’s ‘Secret Weapon’ to Seal Premier League Return!
By 247spotycity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
IPSWICH – As the clock ticks down toward the February 2nd transfer deadline, the atmosphere at Portman Road is electric. Ipswich Town are currently locked in a ferocious three-way battle for automatic promotion, sitting in 3rd place in the Championship behind pace-setters Coventry City and Middlesbrough. With the Premier League within touching distance, the “Tractor Boys” are reportedly scouring the market for one final piece of the puzzle—a player with the “X-factor” to turn draws into wins.
According to East Anglian Daily Times reporter Alex Jones, that missing piece might currently be languishing in the shadows of Stamford Bridge. Ipswich have been urged to launch a daring loan swoop for Chelsea’s forgotten starlet, Deivid Washington, in a move that could redefine the Championship promotion race.
The Scouting Report: Why Deivid Washington?
Deivid Washington is not your typical Championship loanee. Signed by Chelsea for a staggering £17.2 million in August 2023, the 20-year-old Brazilian arrived in London with the reputation of being the “next great Santos striker.” However, the path from the Vila Belmiro to the Premier League has been paved with frustration.
Despite his massive price tag, Washington has found first-team minutes at Chelsea near impossible to come by. Jones believes that while his confidence may be dented, his physical and technical profile makes him an “exciting” and terrifying prospect for Championship defenders.
“The striker will likely be low on confidence as a result, and while a Championship loan would probably be best for him, would Town be able to build him back up quickly enough to make him a worthwhile addition for half a season? That’s the big question,” Jones noted. “If so, he would be an exciting option. He’s 6’2, surprisingly physical yet an agile no.9 with a keen eye for goal when presented with good opportunities.”
Under the tutelage of Kieran McKenna, a manager renowned for his ability to improve young technical players, Washington could be the catalyst that Ipswich need to bridge the two-point gap between themselves and Middlesbrough.
[Table: The Striker Stand-Off — Ipswich’s Current Options]
While McKenna has a solid stable of strikers, the addition of a Premier League-caliber talent like Washington would provide a different dimension.
| Player | Role | Status |
| George Hirst | Target Man | Regular Starter |
| Ivan Azon | Technical Forward | Rotation Option |
| Chuba Akpom | Versatile Attacker | Key Contributor |
| Deivid Washington | Dynamic No. 9 | Potential Loanee |
The “McKenna Effect” and the Promotion Push
Ipswich Town are a club on a mission. Following their heartbreaking relegation last year alongside Leicester City and Southampton, the objective for the 2025/26 campaign was clear: an immediate return to the top flight.
So far, the plan is working. The Tractor Boys are coming off a convincing 2-0 victory over Bristol City, a match dominated by a brace from the clinical Jack Clarke. However, to sustain a charge against the likes of Coventry and Boro, McKenna knows that depth is the greatest currency.
The current striking trio of George Hirst, Ivan Azon, and Chuba Akpom has performed admirably, but Washington brings a South American flair and a physical presence that is rare for a 20-year-old. At 6’2″, he has the height to compete in the rugged Championship, but he possesses the “agility” of a much smaller player—a combination that Jones believes would thrive in McKenna’s high-octane system.
The Chelsea Paradox: From Santos to the Sidelines
Washington’s career trajectory has been a whirlwind. He rose through the ranks at Gremio before exploding onto the scene at Santos, where he scored two goals in 16 appearances as a teenager. His move to England was supposed to be the start of a global superstardom, but the reality of Chelsea’s bloated squad has left him in footballing limbo.
For the player, a move to Suffolk represents a “life raft.” For Chelsea, it is a chance to protect their £17.2m investment by proving he can handle the English game. For Ipswich, it is a low-risk, high-reward gamble that could be the difference between the playoffs and a trophy presentation in May.
The “big question,” as Jones puts it, remains the psychological aspect. Can a 20-year-old who has been “low on confidence” for nearly two years drop down a division and immediately handle the pressure of a promotion race?
A Crucial Weekend Ahead: Sheffield United Awaits
While the boardroom focuses on the January 2nd deadline, the players must focus on the pitch. This weekend, Ipswich travel to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. It is a daunting away fixture, but one that Ipswich will approach with confidence.
Winning at a venue like Bramall Lane would send a massive statement to Middlesbrough and Coventry. If McKenna can integrate a new signing—perhaps even Washington—before the window slams shut, the momentum behind the “Ipswich Express” might become unstoppable.
The Verdict: A Deadline Day Necessity?
Ipswich Town are currently a well-oiled machine, but every machine needs a spark. The Championship is a grueling 46-game marathon, and injuries or a dip in form for Hirst or Akpom could derail the entire season.
Bringing in Deivid Washington would be a “statement of intent.” It would tell the rest of the league that Ipswich aren’t just looking to compete—they are looking to dominate. Whether the Chelsea man is the answer remains to be seen, but as Jones suggests, under the lights of Portman Road and the guidance of Kieran McKenna, the £17m man might finally find his feet.