O'Neil: Jaden's in My Plans
Wednesday, 29th Jul 2026 22:41

Blues boss Gary O’Neil insists winger Jaden Philogene is part of his plans, despite reports that the former England international wants to leave the club.

Philogene, one of Town’s top performers as they won promotion to the Premier League last season, has been the subject of speculation all summer with recurring claims that he is keen to move on.

The former Hull City and Aston Villa man hasn’t featured in pre-season but O’Neil says that’s been due to an injury.

“Hamstring injury, he missed the game in Spain as well,” the new Blues boss said. “He’s had a scan, he’s got a small hamstring injury, but he’s expected to be back soon.

“I’ve no real interest in discussing Jaden, he’s part of my plans and I’ll treat him that way until he’s no longer our player. So the plan is to get him ready for Sunderland and see what we can get out of him.”

O’Neil says Philogene hasn’t told him he wants to move on: “No, he’s not said that to me. I’ve spoken to him maybe 25 times since I’ve been here and no mention of him wanting to leave, so probably noise.”

Reflecting on working with the 24-year-old, he added: “It’s good, a top talent, top talent. He’s going to have a good career and I’ve said this to Jaden, I’m going to get him in the best place possible, I’m going to work my socks off with him for the next few weeks to make sure that he’s ready to perform in the Premier League and then football can move quickly, things can change, but that’s the plan.”

Asked whether he believes there’s a chance of Philogene still being at the club once the transfer window shuts, O’Neil added: “Of course, there’s a chance all of them will still be here. I’m just planning to have as many good players with me as I can get.

“Things will change. As soon as they do, we’ll be able to update you, but as far as I’m aware, Jaden is going to be working really hard to help us stay in the Premier League.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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MaySixth added 22:51 - Jul 29 Well said O'Neil. "Probably noise"
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RetroBlue added 22:55 - Jul 29 Don't think Town are in Philogene 's plans though!
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Lukeybluey added 22:56 - Jul 29 Definitely got class, loved his celebration against Nodge after the banger of a goal... does he feel like someone committed to the cause... I don't know? Because of his talent I hope he can find a place to showcase this consistently, I hope it's Ipswich, cos Clarke didn't too great today.
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Benji1611 added 22:59 - Jul 29 He's brought us a lot of excitement and joy, if he moves on, so be it. So long as it's done respectfully and for a decent fee, it is what it is. Let's not turn on him because of what we read in the papers. Hopefully he wants to show the world he's Prem quality in a Town top.
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jas0999 added 23:23 - Jul 29 Bumping the price up! JP will likely move on. Smacks of Hutchinson last year. Injured … of course he is.
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Pique added 23:36 - Jul 29 'Former England international'?
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armchaircritic59 added 00:04 - Jul 30 Likely to be a bit of smoke and mirrors there. What will be, will be.
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guentchev123 added 00:56 - Jul 30

As Jas0999 says, it just feels so similar to Omari last season. The question is, will any club come up with the £30m+ that will be required for us to sell? It’s a lot of money for a non English club to pay for an unproven PL player and I don’t think there will be many PL teams in for him. If he does go, let’s hope it is soon to allow his replacement to be brought in. Of course the best scenario is that this is all nonsense and he isn’t going. I hope do as he is a quality player who can produce moments of magic to change games.

IndependentlyBlue added 06:46 - Jul 30 Pique - played and scored for England Under-21s
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Len_Brennan added 08:02 - Jul 30

GON has done his best here to shut down the speculation, & has highlighted that nether himself nor the club are/were looking to sell him or move him on. The wording, however, is loose enough from the Philogene side of it, to allow for Philogene to be wanting a move away & also for him to concede that something is likely to happen on the front before the transfer window closes. We know from previous recent transfers out, that the club will not allow a major asset to go for anything less his value in the current market, so this one could run into the start of the season.
What I don't understand is why Philogene would be so intent on leaving at this point. He is yet to prove him at Premier League level, so you would think that this is his big chance, being a key player in a newly promoted side, a likely starter who will get a good hour per game, certainly when playing at home, who is coming into the season relatively fit (despite talk of a niggle) and not with too much expectation due being a newly signed attacker on a huge fee.
I wonder has something happened behind the scenes or if he is disappointed that McKenna is gone, seeing that it was he who championed Philogene, went after him twice & then got the best out of him pre-Christmas last season. Surely it can't just be an agent pushing him towards a slightly faster contract (he was signed on PL terms anyyway), as a good season for us would open up a far wider market for him next summer, or possibly even in January.

Len_Brennan added 08:04 - Jul 30 * fatter contract
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Bazza8564 added 08:17 - Jul 30 Great post Len, but if he wants away I would rather bite the bullet and replace him now, whilst the market is still fluid enough and before the season starts. All I got from GOs comments were scan and hamstring, the rest is manager-speak saying not a lot
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Ipswichbusiness added 08:39 - Jul 30 Apparently Everton are interested in him.
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billlm added 09:24 - Jul 30 So that's four of last year's ending 11 injured positive start,
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StowTractor added 10:17 - Jul 30 If Everton end up with Hackney, Delap & Jaden I think I'm gonna cry! Now I see why Hull fans hated / still hate Town so much!
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Lightningboy added 10:21 - Jul 30 I personally don't want anybody here unless they're 100% committed to Ipswich Town FC.
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StowTractor added 10:24 - Jul 30

I'm torn on this one. Don't want a long drawn out transfer sage a la Omari (although as we know already Jaden is rather good at those anyway). But wont be as disruptive as Omari and having to spend the money in the final days of the window as we already have 2 good LW in with Maeda & JC. And have spent and will continue to spend based on the PL TV revenue to come. So should we sell Jaden on deadline day, or just before then we can pocket that money to strengthen where necessary in January.

But part of me would love to see him stay and have a go at seeing if he can perform in the PL. Then maybe move to a top European club for a bigger fee next summer.

SuperTabby added 10:24 - Jul 30 Hopefully it’s just his agent drumming up interest in him rather than the player wanting to leave, but we don’t really know. I think Jaden could really improve next season if he stays. GON handling this really well, which is good to see. But if a bid of 30 odd mill comes in, we should just sell him and reinvest it straight back into getting another LW.
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StowTractor added 10:26 - Jul 30 Have to credit GON though. As excuses go (if it is one) then a Hamstring injury is going to hold water for longer than a sore throat.
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Linkboy13 added 10:32 - Jul 30 Didn't do it last time in the Premier league don't see much has changed hasn't developed physically so i would let him go.
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Johnny_Boy7 added 13:11 - Jul 30 I thought Jaden improved a lot in his work rate over the last season. Although not the greatest of tacklers, he did at least trackback and seemed much more up for it than when he was first signed. I think he could make a good shot at the premier league this time around.
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