As the Championship season comes to a close, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers have two very different goals.
The Tractor Boys are still aiming for a top-two finish, which would qualify them for Premier League action next season.
Meanwhile, the Lancashire club is hoping to keep their heads above the dotted line and avoid relegation to League One.
The Championship season is nearing its end, and what these two clubs achieve will have an impact on their future plans.
However, it appears that Ipswich’s recent success will give them an advantage in future moves, particularly those involving Blackburn.
Both teams were interested in Hearts defender Alex Cochrane in January, and it is likely that if that interest resurfaces, Blackburn’s chances will be reduced.
Football Insider claimed at the close of this year’s January transfer window that Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, and Premier League club Burnley were all interested in signing Alex Cochrane.
According to the source, the Englishman has impressed with his performances for the Scottish Premiership club, putting these three sides on alert.
Cochrane began his football career with Brighton & Hove Albion, however he only made two first-team appearances, spending the most of his time in the academy or on loan elsewhere.
The left-back joined Hearts on loan for the 2021/22 season, and it was later confirmed that he had signed a permanent contract with the Scottish club.
The 23-year-old signed a three-year contract with the club, and he will enter the final year this summer, raising the possibility of renewed interest. However, if it happens, Ipswich is likely to win this race.
The 2023/24 season has been significantly different for both Ipswich and Blackburn, as they compete at opposite ends of the table.
The Tractor Boys will try to secure promotion to the first division by the conclusion of the season, but if not, they will look to do so through the play-offs.
So, if Ipswich wins promotion, Blackburn’s prospects of signing Alex Cochrane are minimal, since Kieran McKenna may be seeking for a new left-back, given Leif Davis’ condition.
Even if Davis continues at Portman Road, McKenna may try to add someone like Cochrane to their squad, as he would provide valuable competition in the Premier League.
Even if promotion is not gained, Ipswich will most likely lose Davis, therefore buying a left-back will remain a priority, and Cochrane may still be on the club’s list of targets.
The 23-year-old has impressed for Hearts this season, starting all 25 league games for which he has been available, and he has been named team of the week twice, according to Sofascore.
Cochrane has yet to score in the league, but he has been highly creative in his play, creating five wonderful opportunities for his teammates and registering 2.0 vital passes for three assists.
Given that the player is entering the final year of his contract at the end of this season and that he was interested in him in January, he may be chased again this summer.
It is unclear whether Ipswich or Blackburn would be interested in the defender again, but if so, Ipswich’s season has most likely shattered Rovers’ hopes of signing Cochrane.
That is because the left-back will definitely prefer a move to Portman Road, whether in the Premier League or not, over a move to Ewood Park, where he may play League One games next season.
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