Ben Johnson to Ipswich: The Athletic 500 transfer ratings

By Gillian Kasirye, Elias Burke and more

Jul 5, 2024

Ipswich Town have signed full-back Ben Johnson on a free transfer from West Ham United.

Our writers — experts in transfers, tactics, data and football finance — have come together to rate this summer’s senior Premier League transfers in five categories, with each aspect given a score out of 100, to reach a total score out of 500. Hence, The Athletic 500. The ratings are explained in more detail here (not all transfers will be rated as there may be a lack of data to support an analysis).

Below is our rating for this move.

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Tactical fit — 69/100

A look at how the player fits into his new club tactically, using Sentient Sports’ bespoke tactical-fit model, explained by our tactical expert.

Johnson is a promising right-back who has moved in search of more regular football. He can play on either flank as a full-back or in a wing-back role. He averages 7.94 ball recoveries and 3.76 take-ons attempted per game (99th percentile and 95th percentile compared with his positional peers). Despite his potential, he played only 646 minutes last season.

Ipswich, under Kieran McKenna, typically form a 3-2-5 when in possession. This sees the left-back push up into a left-wing position, while the right-back tucks in as a centre-back. Johnson’s ability to play as a full-back on either flank and his experience in a wing-back role should suit McKenna’s system. His dribbling would be useful when driving forward and providing width.

In this game in December 2023 against Liverpool, Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez press Johnson to limit his passing options and space to dribble. Johnson escapes by feinting and manipulating the ball, driving forward and playing a pass to Jarrod Bowen for an opportunity.

However, McKenna’s demand for the right-back to occasionally act as a centre-back may present a challenge. This role requires a high level of positional awareness and defensive solidity, aspects of his game that might need coaching.

Johnson’s frequency in crossing (5.15 crosses per 90 minutes, 88th percentile) and his natural inclination to support attacks make him a good fit. Ipswich create two-vs-one situations on the wings through overlaps that will benefit from Johnson’s ability to deliver accurate crosses and his desire to get forward.

For example, in this April match against Fulham, Johnson maintains width and receives a pass from Tomas Soucek. He then delivers a low, driven cross into a dangerous area for Danny Ings, which Calvin Bassey awkwardly clears.

However, Johnson could improve his ball control and composure, as he can appear clunky and is susceptible to miscontrols. His transition from playing counter-attacking football at West Ham to a more possession-focused style at Ipswich will require him to develop these weaknesses.

Given consistent game time and a clear understanding of McKenna’s tactical demands, Johnson has the potential to become a reliable player for Ipswich.

Gillian Kasirye

Season rating: 58/100

Rating the player across last season, using statistics from The Athletic’s data team.

With such a peripheral role under David Moyes last season, it should come with little surprise that Johnson was eager to look for fresh pastures this summer.

Despite a lack of involvement last year, Johnson proved himself a reliable servant under Moyes across several positions in east London. After breaking through from the academy in 2019, Johnson played in every position across the back line, including both wing-back positions and even further forward on the wing.

Last season, he deputised as a right midfielder in West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, followed by a start at left wing a week later in a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal in February.

They were two of just five starts Johnson had across the Premier League and Europa League. Overall, he made 22 senior appearances last campaign and registered one assist in a 5-1 away defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Elias Burke

Gaming rating: 71/100

Rating the player according to Football Manager 2024’s data across both current and potential ability.

According to Football Manager, Ipswich are signing a starting-level defender with the potential to improve significantly.

Johnson, 24, has a current ability rating of 133, which ranks favourably against Ipswich’s options in defence. Luke Woolfenden, for example, has a rating of 130, while Leif Davis, one of Ipswich’s outstanding performers as they won promotion from the Championship last season, is marked at 134.

But with his prime years ahead of him, Johnson still has plenty of time to improve. Sports Interactive’s extensive scouting network ranks his potential ability at 150, which would make him comfortably Ipswich’s best defender and a top-half Premier League starter. For context, this is similar to the current ratings for England internationals Ezri Konsa (147) and Marc Guehi (151).

Elias Burke

Financial value rating: 66/100

A four-category summary of the player’s transfer in financial terms — and whether it makes sense for his new club

Market value — 18/25

A smart addition on a free transfer, adding Premier League experience to an Ipswich squad new to the top flight. Johnson turned down a West Ham extension and offers from overseas, illustrating that this is a deal worth doing for Ipswich. A player of his ilk would ordinarily cost a sizeable sum.

Squad cost — 21/25

Ipswich have much to do in the transfer market this summer if they are to compete in the Premier League and will need to spend heavily across the squad. Avoiding the need to commit a chunk of the budget on a right-sided defender carries plenty of appeal this summer.

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Contract sensibility — 13/25

Johnson’s four-year deal will likely be among the biggest on Ipswich’s books, with money saved on a fee reinvested into the player’s salary. That is a big commitment for a promoted club, but the likelihood is that there will be some protection in the event of relegation.

Resale value — 14/25

Johnson, still only 24, has not been short of interest in the past six months, endorsing a belief that suitors will follow his progress. Yet plenty will depend on how he performs as a Premier League regular, a platform he has yet to find in a young career.

Philip Buckingham

Risk or reward? 81/100

Is there a history of injury or other problems that could crop up and make this deal a bad one in retrospect? Or does the player come with a clean bill of health? Our expert takes a look.

For Ipswich, a player of Johnson’s talent, age and relative Premier League experience is a no-brainer.

While racking up an impressive 96 points indicates Ipswich have the quality to impress in the Premier League next season, the core of their squad has mostly stayed the same from their promotion-winning campaign in League One in 2022-23. Axel Tuanzebe, one of the few players in the squad with any Premier League experience, will likely compete with Johnson for a berth in McKenna’s starting line-up.

And if he wins a spot in the defence, Johnson’s injury record suggests he has the durability to stay there. He only suffered one notable injury at West Ham — a calf problem in the 2018-19 season that kept him out of action for a week. Johnson may not become a world-beater, but adding top-flight and European experience for a promoted side in the shape of a 24-year-old free agent is an astute piece of business, whichever way you look at it.

Elias Burke

Overall rating: 345/500

(Top photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

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