Derby County are keen on a move for departing Ipswich Town man Conor Chaplin, according to Football League World.
Derby County will head into the summer transfer window looking to bolster their squad after narrowly missing out on a Championship play-off place. Despite falling short of the top six, it was still an encouraging campaign for the Rams and one that offered plenty of positives at Pride Park.
With the expanded play-off format set to come into play, Derby will feel they have a strong chance of breaking into the mix next season. Even so, there will be no room for complacency, with fresh additions expected to be a key focus during the summer.
Some free transfers are being eyed by DCFC as they look to do some shrewd business, one of which being Ipswich Town’s Conor Chaplin. Football League World are reporting that Derby County are keen on a swoop for the attacking midfielder, who is leaving the Tractor Boys at the end of his deal.
Chaplin spent the season on loan with his hometown club Portsmouth, and helped guide them to safety this term. He was not at his best for Pompey, but Rams’ John Eustace will know how good he can be at this level.
Conor Chaplin’s Championship ability
Chaplin joined Barnsley from Coventry City in July 2019 for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract. The move gave him his first extended opportunity to play Championship football.
During the 2019/20 season, Chaplin made 44 league appearances and scored 11 goals, while adding two more in cup competitions for 13 goals in 47 matches overall. He enjoyed a standout spell, with his goals helping Barnsley avoid relegation on the final day.
Chaplin followed that up with 34 league appearances and four goals during the 2020/21 campaign. He also played a role in Barnsley’s impressive season as they finished fifth and reached the Championship play-offs.
He joined Ipswich Town in July 2021 in a deal reported to be worth £750,000. Chaplin became a key figure in the club’s rise and played a major role in their promotion-winning 2023/24 campaign with 13 goals in 44 league appearances.
After featuring 22 times and scoring once in Ipswich’s Premier League season in 2024/25, he made four Championship appearances the following season before leaving on loan. He scored just two goals in 40 appearances for Pompey while on loan.
Conor Chaplin’s Championship stats
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 162 | 30 | 19 |
Despite last season’s struggles, Chaplin will be a brilliant pickup for any Championship side if he can get back to his best. Eustace has proven time and again that he can turn players’ careers around.
Replacing a returning Ipswich Town man?
Chaplin could come to Derby County and take over the role of Ipswich Town loanee Sammie Szmodics. As things stand, the Irish international is heading back to the Tractor Boys.
Szmodics has had a reasonable stint since his arrival in the January window. The attacking midfielder scored three goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances.
DCFC may still like to bring Szmodics back for next season, with Eustace a big fan of his. The two reunited at Derby after being together at Blackburn Rovers before he made the switch to Ipswich.
Ipswich Town would likely want to recoup as much of the fee they paid for Szmodics. Whether DCFC would be willing to do that for him is another matter.
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