It’s a fascinating story which even the most optimistic of Ipswich fans would not have believed just a few years ago. Current boss Kieran McKenna joined in December 2021 with the Tractor Boys sitting 12th in League One, and after back-to-back promotions,
It’s time to get to know the Premier League’s newest outfit, so here are six players to keep an eye out for.
This one’s cheating a bit as Omari Hutchinson is not actually an Ipswich player. The 20-year-old winger spent this past year dazzling on loan from Chelsea and will undoubtedly be playing Premier League football next year, although just who with remains up in the air.
Hutchinson has made it clear that he wants to return to Ipswich for their Premier League season, telling Sky Sports: “I hope to stay at Ipswich next season, we’ll see what my agent and the manager says.”
He’s incredibly highly rated and has been for years after his days in the Arsenal academy. Chelsea will be reluctant to listen to permanent offers, but he does only have one year left on his contract, which could work in Ipswich’s favour.
Leif Davis managed 21 assists in 43 games from left-back. Eat your heart out, Andy Robertson.
The 24-year-old is a dead-ball specialist with a penchant for a wicked cross that strikers simply love to throw themselves at. It’s not a random occurance either, as Davis bagged 14 assists in League One the year prior. This is what he does.
Fans were even calling for Davis, formerly of Leeds United and Bournemouth, to be considered for Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Those shouts were premature this season, but they may become deafening if he keeps this form up in the Premier League.
Playing behind a central striker, Conor Chaplin brings both goals and assists to Ipswich’s team.
The 27-year-old, whose diminutive frame helps him weave around defenders, struck 26 goals in League One last year and followed that up with 13 goals and nine assists in the Championship, establishing himself as a firm favourite among fans.
Chaplin represented Portsmouth, Coventry and Barnsley earlier in his career but insists he is happier than ever with Ipswich, who will provide him with his first taste of Premier League football.
Welsh winger Nathan Broadhead finished level with Chaplin at the top of Ipswich’s scoring chart this season, bagging 13 goals in 38 games.
The 26-year-old came through the Everton academy and actually managed two appearances for the Toffees – one in the Europa League and the other in the Premier League – but has endured a slow start to life at the senior level. Indeed, he has played just 135 games of club football thus far in his career, with a combination of injuries and getting stuck in Everton’s academy leaving him relatively inexperienced compared to other players of the same age. For comparison, Chaplin is 14 months older but has played 386 games of senior football.
His late rise has been rewarded with a regular spot in the Wales national team, and now Broadhead is looking to make up for lost time.
English fans may already be aware of striker George Hirst, who was incredibly highly rated when he came through the Sheffield Wednesday academy. He ended up on the books at Leicester but, after a series of loans, signed with Ipswich permanently in the summer of 2023.
Now 25, Hirst started the season as McKenna’s starting striker before a nasty injury kept him sidelined for four months, with his absence prompting Ipswich to lure Kieffer Moore over from Bournemouth on loan, but he will hope to reclaim his place permanently next year.
Hirst managed two Premier League appearances with Leicester, racking up a total of nine minutes against Tottenham and Manchester United in July 2020.
