Sammie Szmodics’ career at Ipswich Town may be all but over, but the 30-year-old forward now has the chance to reignite his career at Derby County following a deadline-day loan move that reunited him with former manager John Eustace.
Szmodics, who joined the Tractor Boys from Blackburn Rovers in August 2024 for £9 million, struggled to make an impact at Portman Road.
Injuries disrupted his season, preventing him from finding rhythm, and while he impressed in the first half of the campaign, scoring four Premier League goals by Christmas, his second half of the season was frustrating.
Before Ipswich Town faced Derby at Pride Park, manager Kieran McKenna was asked whether Szmodics still had a future at the club. His answer suggested the door may be closing:
“We’ll see what the summer brings.”
McKenna was blunt about the reasoning behind Szmodics’ departure, revealing that non-footballing factors played a key role:
“In those respects, the decision was made that it was best that Sammie wouldn’t be with us for the rest of the season.”
“Of course, there was a possibility of that being on a permanent transfer, but when there wasn’t a suitable offer, it was still considered that it was best for him not to be here this season.”
“It’s difficult for supporters when you can’t always give them the full picture. He’s gone on loan to a team that’s doing well and I understand the perception of that.”
“But in the end, it’s those of us in the top end of the club and my responsibility to do what I think is right for the football club.”
I’ve done that since I’ve been here, and I’ll continue to do that, and that was the basis of this decision.”
McKenna also highlighted Szmodics’ injury issues and how they had affected his form:
“He had two big injuries in the calendar year of 2025, both with complicated recoveries that have held him back a little bit. So there are obvious football things there.”
“In the end, it wasn’t a football decision. It was a decision made in the best interests of our group dynamic and dressing room culture.”
For Szmodics, the loan to Derby offers the chance to reconnect with a manager under whom he previously thrived at Blackburn Rovers.
Former Ipswich defender Luke Chambers admitted he was surprised by the move, particularly given Derby’s status as a promotion rival:
“For him to be able to just walk out of Ipswich Town to a promotion rival doesn’t sit too well with me. But Sammy Szmodics wants to play football. He wants to play in what he feels is his best position, which he’s proven in the Championship.”
Szmodics’ reunion with Eustace, along with former Blackburn teammates Lewis Travis and Ben Brereton Diaz especially Travis, his self-proclaimed best friend could be crucial in helping him regain confidence and form.
According to insiders, the move is exactly what Szmodics wanted: a familiar environment where he can play regularly and rebuild momentum.
“This could be the right place at the right time for him,” McKenna suggested. “He just needs to get back to playing regularly and rebuild his confidence.”
While Szmodics was unable to play against Ipswich at Pride Park, the Rams showed flashes of quality, but key moments went against them.
One pivotal incident came when Lewis Travis received a second yellow card, leaving the Rams a man down. Furlong’s theatrics drew comparisons to a boxing knockout, with Derbyshire Live’s Leigh Curtis noting:
“You would have thought that he had been decked by Anthony Joshua.”
Travis’ involvement proved costly, and John Eustace reflected on the incident in his post-match analysis:
“Lewis likes to play on the edge. But getting involved in that kind of confrontation is always asking for trouble.”
Despite the defeat, Derby remain well-placed in the Championship promotion race, particularly with Coventry City faltering at a crucial stage of the season.
Szmodics’ loan represents a fresh start in a familiar environment, giving him the chance to regain confidence, secure regular game time, and make a meaningful impact for Derby.
For Ipswich, the move reflects McKenna’s prioritisation of dressing room culture over retaining a single high-profile player.
While his time at Portman Road may be drawing to a close, Szmodics now has an opportunity to rewrite the narrative of his season.
If he can rediscover the form that made him a standout at Blackburn, this loan move could prove to be one of the smartest decisions of his career.
Derby will hope to integrate Szmodics quickly, starting with Saturday’s clash against Swansea City, while Ipswich can take confidence from their Pride Park victory as they continue their push for automatic promotion.
For Szmodics, it’s a chance to take control of his own narrative and perhaps reignite the career that looked stalled in Suffolk.
