Ipswich are protected, although a contract decision should be made soon

Ipswich Town has time, but they should consider Cameron Burgess’ long-term future with the club.

Ipswich Town must make important decisions on player contracts, with defender Cameron Burgess’ contract coming to an end.
Despite a one-year option, Ipswich should sign Burgess long-term given his importance this season.
Burgess’ impressive defensive statistics, as well as his ability to adapt to McKenna’s system, show his importance to Ipswich’s future.

Ipswich Town may soon face difficult decisions about the fate of some of their players.

The Tractor Boys are currently in a promotion battle with Leicester City, Leeds United, and Southampton for the two automatic slots.

So, with 11 games left in the league, Ipswich and Kieran McKenna’s focus will be on what happens on the pitch.

However, choices on player contracts must be made shortly, with defender Cameron Burgess among those whose contracts are about to expire.

Cameron Burgess’ Contract Situation at Ipswich Town

Burgess has been at Portman Road since the summer of 2021, having previously played for Accrington Stanley.

Burgess previously played for several clubs, including Fulham, Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, and Accrington.

The defender impressed in his only season at Stanley, which won him a move to Ipswich. Burgess has established himself as a crucial player for the Tractor Boys since his arrival.

When the 28-year-old joined the club in 2021, he signed a three-year contract, which expires at the end of this season.

The good news for Ipswich is that they do have protection, as the club can trigger a one-year agreement.

While the club is likely to exercise this option, considering Burgess’ importance this season, Ipswich should be aiming to sign him to a longer-term contract than a season.

Ipswich should look to agree on fresh terms with Cameron Burgess.

As previously said, Ipswich’s top objective will be to focus on football in order to secure one of the two automatic promotion berths.

However, as the season comes to an end, Ipswich will have to start thinking about next season, and as a result, decisions about players’ futures will need to be made, with Burgess clearly falling into that category.

As previously said, the Tractor Boys have protection in the form of the club’s ability to exercise the one-year option in his contract; yet, given how well the defender has performed and how vital he has become, Ipswich may need to look beyond the one-year option and negotiate a new contract.

Burgess began his career with Ipswich, although he was in and out of the team, appearing only 21 times in League One.

However, the 28-year-old has emerged as an important player of McKenna’s squad, both last season and this year. Burgess played 33 games when the club was promoted from League One last season, and he has started all 28 league games so far this season.

Furthermore, the defender has helped Ipswich maintain one of the league’s greatest defenses, with the club keeping nine clean sheets when he was on the pitch.

Burgess has been a key defensive player, averaging 1.4 interceptions and 0.5 tackles per game, and recovering the ball 5.1 times on average, according to SofaScore.com.

Burgess, 28, has established himself as a ball-playing defender, which is exactly what McKenna expects from his defenders. According to SofaScore.com, he has an 82% pass accuracy per game, 0.2 critical passes, and has created two huge chances for his teammates.

Ipswich’s one-year option may indicate that they are not in a rush to extend Burgess’ contract at the club, but given his performances and importance to the team, the Tractor Boys may be wise in tying him down, as if they don’t, interest from other sides may emerge, given his contract situation.

It may depend on what Ipswich achieves this season, but whether or not they make the Premier League next season, the club should regard Burgess as an important element of this team and reward his performance with a new long-term contract.