Stoke City are in excellent form, and hope is starting to build among the Potters' fanbase that they could achieve something special this season, and as the January transfer window looms, one obvious piece of business must be completed.

After starting the 2026/27 Championship campaign with three defeats on the spin against Swansea City, Southampton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke have rallied together to launch themselves into the play-off conversation since.

In the following eight games, the Potters have won six, drawn one, and lost one, as Mark Robins has silenced some of his critics for now after his decision to switch to a 3-4-2-1 shape has paid dividends.

It was a busy summer for the North Staffordshire outfit, who had to contend with the late departure of star winger Sorba Thomas to Hull City, though the majority of the business they completed looks to be solid, as one addition has stood out more than most.

Stoke City signed Ben Johnson on loan from Ipswich Town in the summer

Stoke, once again, were not shy to get the chequebook out this summer under the financial backing of the Coates family, completing deals for the likes of Jack McGlynn, Justin Devenny, Luca Bombino, Ethan Galbraith, Djibril Soumare, Joshua Griffiths, Milan Smit, Luke Graham, Svante Ingelsson, and George Hirst.

This took the Potters' summer spending to beyond the £30 million mark, and whilst McGlynn, Galbraith, and Soumare in particular have looked well worth the money so far, it was the loan deal for Ben Johnson from Ipswich Town that may well be their best value for money.

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

Having helped the Tractor Boys make an immediate return to the top flight last season, it was made apparent by incoming boss Gary O'Neil that minutes were far from guaranteed for Johnson, who was allowed to join Stoke on loan and has since found a home in the Potteries.

Ben Johnson has been in excellent form for Stoke City since joining the Potters from Ipswich Town

Upon his arrival in North Staffordshire, Johnson, 26, was initially used as a right-back in a back four to cover in the absence of Junior Tchamadeu, but since the switch to a 3-4-2-1 shape, he has largely deputised as a right wing-back to great effect.

Capable of operating as a centre-back in a back three as well, Johnson's versatility in the midst of absences has already proven to be highly useful for Robins, who had to use the likes of Makysm Talovierov, Ben Wilmot, Sydney Agina, Bosun Lawal, and even Sorba Thomas in that position last season.

Johnson has already eclipsed the amount of minutes he earned in the Championship with Ipswich last season since joining Stoke, starting all ten league games he has been available for, playing every single minute, and grabbing a goal.

Stoke City must act swiftly to secure a permanent swoop for Ipswich Town's Ben Johnson in January after loan evidence

Given his impact since joining on loan, it would be no surprise if Stoke attempted to turn Johnson's deal into a permanent one the second the January window opens.

The 26-year-old is under contract at Portman Road until the summer of 2028 and unlikely to have any sort of long-term future with Ipswich, could be allowed to leave for good in January if their asking price is met.

It's unclear exactly what the Tractor Boys' stance on Johnson is right now, and how much they would command for a permanent departure, though Stoke will surely be pushing for negotiations for the defender as soon as the window opens.

His performances at the Bet365 Stadium will have surely caught the eye of other clubs across the division, as well as around Europe; if the Potters want to keep Johnson for the long haul, they must act swiftly this January.

What are your opinions on Ben Johnson? Should Stoke be looking to make a move for the Ipswich loanee permanently? How much would you pay for the defender? Share your thoughts below!

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

Whilst Johnson will likely remain with Stoke until the end of the season in any capacity, they could do their hopes of breaking into the play-off places the world of good by securing a permanent deal for the defender in January.

Knowing his future lies in the Potteries could take Johnson's game to another level, as Stoke would be laying down a serious statement of intent by bringing him to the club for good.

Robins will have one eye on the Championship top eight this season, and as the January window approaches, talks for transfer business will accelerate, and Johnson ought to be at the forefront of those conversations.