Stoke City are in good form, and anticipation is growing among the Potters’ fanbase that they will achieve something special this season. As the January transfer window approaches, one apparent piece of business must be performed.

After starting the 2026/27 Championship season with three consecutive defeats against Swansea City, Southampton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke have rallied to put themselves in play-off contention.

In the eight games that followed, the Potters won six, drew one, and lost one, as Mark Robins’ decision to move to a 3-4-2-1 formation paid off for the time being.

It was a busy summer for the North Staffordshire team, which had to deal with the late departure of star winger Sorba Thomas to Hull City, but the majority of the business they accomplished appears to be strong, with one signing standing out above the rest.

Stoke City signed Ben Johnson on loan from Ipswich Town this summer.

Stoke were not afraid to spend money this summer thanks to the Coates family’s financial support, signing Jack McGlynn, Justin Devenny, Luca Bombino, Ethan Galbraith, Djibril Soumare, Joshua Griffiths, Milan Smit, Luke Graham, Svante Ingelsson, and George Hirst.

This pushed the Potters’ summer expenditure above the £30 million barrier, and while McGlynn, Galbraith, and Soumare in particular have looked well worth the money thus far, the loan deal for Ben Johnson from Ipswich Town may be their finest value for money.

Ben Johnson’s Premier League career statistics

Appearances

92

Goals

3

Assists

2

Yellow cards.

6

Johnson, 26, rose through the ranks at West Ham United, making 109 appearances in all competitions before joining Ipswich in the summer of 2024 under Kieran McKenna.

After helping the Tractor Boys make an immediate return to the top flight last season, incoming manager Gary O’Neil made it clear that Johnson’s minutes were far from assured, and he was permitted to join Stoke on loan and has since found a home in the Potteries.

Ben Johnson has been in good form for Stoke City since joining them from Ipswich Town.

Johnson, 26, was first employed as a right-back in a back four to cover for Junior Tchamadeu’s absence when he arrived in North Staffordshire, but with the conversion to a 3-4-2-1 formation, he has mostly deputised as a right wing-back to great effect.

Johnson, who can also play center-back in a back three, has already proven to be extremely valuable for the Robins, who had to rely on Makysm Talovierov, Ben Wilmot, Sydney Agina, Bosun Lawal, and even Sorba Thomas in that position last season.

Johnson has already surpassed the number of minutes he played in the Championship with Ipswich last season since joining Stoke, starting all ten league games he has been available for, playing every minute and scoring one goal.

Stoke City must act quickly to clinch a permanent bid for Ipswich Town’s Ben Johnson in January, following loan evidence.

The 26-year-old is under contract at Portman Road until the summer of 2028 and is unlikely to have a long-term future with Ipswich; if their asking price is fulfilled, he might be permitted to depart permanently in January.

It’s unknown what the Tractor Boys’ attitude on Johnson is right now, or how much they’d demand for a permanent departure, but Stoke will undoubtedly push for negotiations with the defender as soon as the window opens.

His achievements at the Bet365 Stadium will have undoubtedly piqued the interest of other clubs in the division and throughout Europe; if the Potters want to maintain Johnson for the long term, they must act quickly come January.

Mark Robins can boost Stoke City’s play-off hopes with permanent deal for Ben Johnson

While Johnson will most likely remain with Stoke until the end of the season in some form, clinching a permanent agreement for the defender in January might significantly improve their chances of making the play-offs.

Knowing his future resides in the Potteries might elevate Johnson’s playing, as Stoke would be making a significant show of purpose by bringing him to the club permanently.

This season, the Robins will have one eye on the Championship top eight, and as the January window approaches, transfer talks will heat up, with Johnson expected to be at the centre of those discussions.