Ipswich Town have managed to secure a deadline day swoop on Chelsea youngster Somto Boniface, whose name is not known to Premier League fans yet but for the future. Now 18, the defender has been a part of Chelsea’s set up since the age of nine and will now go to Portman Road as he joins the U23 squad there.
This move for someone who has international tasted football at youth levels and who played an important role with Chelsea U18s finishing top of the Premier League South last season is a valid question: is this a stone to success or a case of young talent falling out of the Stamford Bridge spotlight?
Why Ipswich? Why Now?
Whilst Boniface is going to make it tough for Kieran McKenna to get him straight into the first team, Ipswich are flying high under McKenna and clearly see potential in him. With so many defensive prospects, Chelsea have so many defenders that some, such as Boniface, find it hard to get a game. It is not an ideal situation for a developing player, as he has made just one U21 appearance this season.
It is an opportunity for Boniface to cut himself loose from Chelsea’s cluttered youth system and in a more organized environment. Meanwhile, Ipswich get a promising defender with the addition of cash rather than a hefty price tag to them for an established star. This is a common case of low risk, high reward.
What Makes Boniface Special?
We can break Boniface’s playing style down for those that don’t know his style.
- Speed and Stamina
He is a typical fullback who is willing to sprint up and down both sides all day long and not break a sweat in the process. A good asset in attack and defense, his pace makes him so. - Defensive Intelligence
Boniface knows his defensive positioning, unlike some other young fullbacks that only think about running at attackers. In discipline and rarely found out of position—something Ipswich will appreciate—he has been more reliable. - Big Game Mentality
Indeed, he has already represented England at U17 and U18 levels and has played in high-pressure tournaments. It’s priceless for a player to go through that when changing into the senior football environment.
Chelsea’s loss, Ipswich’s gain?
Chelsea’s academy has the best reputation in the world for producing talents, but only a select few get a chance to shine in the Stamford Bridge. It takes Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guéhi, Tariq Lamptey or Tino Livramento, all of whom had to leave to make a name for themselves.
Perhaps Boniface is making an itinerary of his own. Ipswich will either have a future first-team star or, at the very least, a player they can sell at a tidy profit if he develops as he has.
Loss of Boniface would not mean trouble for Chelsea today, but if he thrives elsewhere, they might regret losing him. Simply put, the club’s record when it comes to selling young players who went on to thrive in their careers has to make one question what they are going to do with their latest client.
A Personal Take: Why I Love This Move of Boniface
From a football fan such as me, this makes absolutely sense. Boniface wasn’t getting enough game time at Chelsea, so young players needed to play. He needs to be given a platform to develop, and Ipswich has ambitious plans that offer the perfect opportunity for him.
A good place to be if you like transferring rising stars to prove when. If Boniface turns into a top-tier defender, there is a thrill to “what if”—what if? Could it be that Chelsea regrets this? Football is consequently so exciting due to the inability to predict!
Unfortunately for Boniface, it means he has a short period to prove that he is capable. Now he has the stage to show the Ipswich fans of his future, or who knows where he may go from here.
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