Ipswich Town are under threat of losing a lot of their top attacking talent this summer as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

 

Not all of Kieran McKenna’s side showed themselves to be up to the Premier League standard, which is why they ultimately got relegated, but there were some, particularly in forward areas, who looked like they could hold their own.

 

One of those players, Liam Delap, has already left Portman Road, and Omari Hutchinson, Ipswich’s star winger, is now being linked with a return to the top flight.

 

Omari Hutchinson (left) & Graham Potter (right) – Portman Road background

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In the midst of all this, Conor Chaplin, a man who has established himself as a legend of the Tractor Boys over the last few seasons, being present in the promotions that took the club from League One to the top flight, is in the final year of his deal.

 

Ipswich are a smart club and will understand the potential need to try and cash in on Chaplin if they aren’t thinking of renewing the 28-year-old’s deal and don’t want him to leave as a free agent. They have two windows to sell him, including this one, if that’s the avenue they want to go down.

 

Ipswich urged to press pause on sudden Conor Chaplin decision by Lee Hendrie

The attacking midfielder’s immediate future with Town will come down to how many goalscoring options they offload this summer, according to Lee Hendrie. But he ultimately feels like they will pull the plug on Chaplin this summer.

 

“These are the sort of players that I think when they’ve sort of been in and around the Premier League, you do think that sometimes they think that they can go and jump back into that,” the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Football League World.

 

“I think that the big question is that, yes, for the year left on his contract, is it going to be one of them where they should offload? Should they look at something different? Should they sell him? And that’s probably what Ipswich will end up doing.

 

Conor Chaplin of Ipswich Town

“I think the way they’re going, but then you look at the flipside of that and they’ve got a hell of a lot of players that have been linked away from the football club.

 

“So I will probably put that down to whether they actually do sell these, their top players and whether they have to keep a Conor Chaplin, who we know can certainly cause lots of teams problems in the Championship.

 

“I think it’s a tough one. I think it’ll be all about who goes, what players go. That will probably give them an idea whether they are to offload with the year left on his contract.”

 

Conor Chaplin’s Ipswich Town tenure may be coming to an end

The last time we saw Chaplin in the second tier, he proved just how strong an attacking threat he can be for a player of his position. He directly contributed to 21 goals in Ipswich’s automatic promotion-winning 2023/24 campaign.

 

Conor Chaplin’s 23/24 Championship stats

 

Appearances

 

44

 

Starts

 

42

 

Goals

 

13

 

Expected goals (xG)

 

11.97

 

Assists

 

8

 

Big chances created

 

 

Unfortunately for him, last season proved to be a step too far, both in skill and physicality. Chaplin struggled to stay fit and only featured in 22 Premier League fixtures, including only 10 starts.

 

He isn’t up there in years just yet, but he is nearing 30. With Ipswich looking at attacking options like Marc Guiu, although not a direct challenge to Chaplin’s position, it may be a marker that they are looking to refresh the squad a bit following the relegation.

 

Kieran Maguire claims that Ipswich Town will have a strong financial advantage in the Championship next season

Kieran Maguire claims that Ipswich Town will have a strong financial advantage in the Championship next season

Ipswich Town are the bookies’ favourites to secure promotion to the Premier League next season, but does their financial advantage in the Championship back that up?

 

The Blues spent heavily in the top flight, but it wasn’t enough to keep them there. They now come back to the second tier with a stronger squad than they had in 2023/24, although some players will look to move on before the start of the campaign.

 

Of the three teams who are relegated, at least one tends to bounce back at the first time of asking. In terms of resources, there tends to be a significant gap between teams who receive parachute payments and those who don’t.

 

Of course, the likes of Southampton, Leicester City and Sheffield United will look to compete for automatic promotion, but do Town have what it takes to finish above them?

 

“I think that the bookies have probably got it right,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star. “We’ve seen parachute payments turn into trampoline payments over the course of the last two years.

 

“Burnley and Leeds United were both in receipt of parachute payments, they were automatically promoted. Sheffield United could have been promoted but they lost to Sunderland in the play-off final.

 

Burnley returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking

Burnley returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking (Image: PA)

 

“Congratulations to Sunderland. It was a good match, very, very tense. I’m glad I wasn’t emotionally involved in it, just watching as an observer.

 

“There’s an opportunity. Portman Road is a good stadium, there’s a solid fanbase, a decent capacity. I think you’ve got owners who have the resources and are willing to back the manager as far as the summer is concerned.

 

“People are asking whether we have two or three Premier Leagues. We have a big seven or eight, then the middle classes and nine to 10 clubs fighting over six positions who are bouncing between the Championship and the Premier League.

 

“I think Ipswich Town have all of the resources to join that group. They have been up, come down and are rightly deemed to be a club with the opportunity to bounce back.

 

“I think it will be an exciting season.”

 

There is, of course, a risk of complacency. Luton Town, for example, were expected to compete for a top-two finish last season, having just come down from the Premier League. Instead, they finished 22nd and were relegated down to League One.

 

Some outsiders believe that the Blues could be on a similar path, with supporters also wary of what happened to the Hatters. Maguire, however, believes that there should be no cause for concern.

 

“If I was an Ipswich fan, I wouldn’t be worried at all,” he argued. “The two clubs have nothing in common.

 

Maguire doesn’t believe that the Blues are at risk of following Luton Town’s spiral post-relegation

Maguire doesn’t believe that the Blues are at risk of following Luton Town’s spiral post-relegation

 

“If you take a look at Luton’s finances, they spent £27m signing players in the Premier League. That was with a squad that climbed quite quickly. Congratulations on getting there, but the owners effectively said, ‘we are now budgeting to be relegated’.

 

“If you take a look at the average wages they were paying, and we’re not going to get out the world’s smallest violin here, it was only £25k a week. The average in the Premier League is between £65k and £70k. You’ve got clubs where the average wage is £170k, £180k.

 

“They didn’t have a squad of Premier League players, and it was going to be that sort of ‘all for one, one for all’ mentality in the dressing room.

 

“I went there on a Tuesday night in late January, I’m a Brighton fan. Luton absolutely mullered us, it was 4-0 and that was flattering Brighton.

 

“I thought, ‘well, if they can maintain this level of camaraderie, they have got a fair chance of staying up’. That was the last game they won all season. They had a pretty brutal finish to the season.

 

“The money they generated from being in the Premier League, that’s effectively been banked and used to build the new stadium. We didn’t see investment in new players in 2024/25.

 

“We didn’t see many sales because the broad perception of Premier League clubs was, ‘we’ve looked at Luton’s squad and they did well to get to the Premier League, but they didn’t have Premier League quality players.

 

Town will aim to secure a top-two finish next season

Town will aim to secure a top-two finish next season

 

“I think Luton are a completely different place to Ipswich because Ipswich have had that investment in the squad. They have a bigger ground, greater match receipts, greater commercial revenue and greater commercial appeal off the back of the sponsors.

 

“I don’t anticipate a replication of what we’ve seen at Luton.”

 

Fans will be expecting to see Ipswich in the promotion mix next season. If they do miss out, they only have a finite amount of time before their parachute payments run out.

 

As a result, there will be a burning desire to return to the top flight as soon as possible, although Maguire argues that this isn’t always where supporters enjoy football the most.

 

“Because Ipswich were relegated immediately following promotion, they only get two years’ worth of parachute payments rather than three,” he revealed. “That does mean that, for the next two seasons, the fiscal advantage that they have is there for a limited time only.

 

“We talk about the importance, it’s in terms of self-worth, self-reflection, self-analysis and so on, but is it important for you as an individual Ipswich fan that you follow the club in the Premier League, or just following Ipswich? That’s a more abstract, esoteric question.

 

“I’ve been talking to some Leeds United fans since they were promoted. What surprised me, but perhaps hasn’t surprised me, is that they love it in the Championship, they love being top dog and going to away grounds in the expectation of a win as opposed to celebrating like it’s Christmas if it’s a 0-0, which tends to be the case in the Premier League.

 

Mark Ashton wants to see a change in football’s finance rules

Mark Ashton wants to see a change in football’s finance rules

 

“Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond, or do you want to be a small fish, or a tiddler, in a much bigger pond? That’s a discussion to have.

 

“If you don’t go up in the first two seasons, like Norwich and Watford – we’ve also got clubs like Stoke. Stoke probably have the richest English owners in the country in the form of Bet365. I know that there’s been a formal sale, but it’s now owned by the Coates family, formally of Bet365.

 

“They have been incredibly generous owners, both the company and the Coates family. Yes, there were relegated in 2018 and seven, eight years later, I don’t think they have finished higher than 14th.

 

“There is that danger that you don’t get into that routine of being in the Championship. That can be quite soul destroying, if you’re not bad enough to get relegated and not really troubling the scorers in terms of a play-off campaign.

 

“Fans become a bit weary, but that also happens in the Premier League. If you think about what happened to Stoke in the Premier League, they used to finish eighth or ninth every season. It was the same with Charlton 15 or 20 years ago and look at what has happened to them now, although I appreciate that they are back.

 

“It’s a strange experience, where the limit of your realistic ambitions is finishing in the top half of the table.

 

“I support Brighton, we finished eighth. It was the second-best finish in the club’s history. The attitude of most fans was, ‘meh’. Certainly not helped by Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup, it has to be said. That was probably the bigger reason for misery at the Amex!

 

“Our final match of the season was at home to Liverpool, who just won the Premier League, but the stadium wasn’t full. There were empty seats all around me because people find it difficult to motivate themselves.

 

“Personally, I don’t give a damn about those people. I saw us beat Liverpool, which was absolutely fantastic. It was a brilliant game of football and I support my team regardless of the division.

 

“I have to accept that I’m not a representative of the whole fanbase.”

 

 

Omari Hutchinson (left), Dara O’Shea (top right) and Leif Davis (bottom right) could all generate big profits for Ipswich Town in time.

Mark Ashton insists Ipswich Town’s squad value INCREASED during a Premier League relegation campaign.

 

After what was a limited spend during back-to-back promotions, the Blues signed 16 players at a cost of £120m+ over two top flight transfer windows.

 

It wasn’t enough to beat the drop, with Kieran McKenna’s men finishing 19th with just 22 points to their name.

 

Already, 12-goal talisman Liam Delap, a £15m addition from Man City, has made a £30m switch to Chelsea after a relegation release clause was triggered.

 

Fellow England Under-21 international Omari Hutchinson, an £18m buy from Chelsea, reportedly has a similar clause set at £35m, while the likes of Leif Davis, Dara O’Shea, Ben Johnson, Sammie Szmodics and George Hirst have all been linked with profit making moves.

 

Omari Hutchinson, an £18m buy last summer, is said to have a £35m relegation release clause.

Omari Hutchinson, an £18m buy last summer, is said to have a £35m relegation release clause.

 

“One hundred per cent, the squad value has gone up,” said Ashton. “The type of player we recruit, the minutes they get, the development they get under Kieran (McKenna) and his staff – it only adds value. It’s a trend that we’ve had.

 

 

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“One of my owners sent me a link. One of the independent bodies – Transfer Market, I think it was – had done an evaluation of player valuation growth and we were the biggest on the planet. That was an independent valuation, not ours, which did make me smile.

 

“Moving forward, recruitment into the academy – nine to 21s, and the 23s – that’s got to get better and be more effective. We need to recruit in the underbelly – the players that aren’t quite ready for the first team now, but who are close to the first team.

 

“And when you look at the first team recruitment, I think we’ve got to make sure it’s balanced. Whilst, primarily, we’re always going to look for your next Leifs (Leif Davis) and your next Omaris etc, there’s got to be a balance between that and experience. Because I think we’ve done very well in the market when we’ve recruited a Massimo (Luongo), for example, or Sam Morsy. It has to be a blend. So we’ll be looking at both areas as we move forward.”

 

WHAT IPSWICH PAID FOR THEIR PLAYERS

 

£20m – Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa)

 

£18m – Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea)

 

£15m – Jacob Greaves (Hull)

 

£15m – Jack Clarke (Sunderland)

 

£12m – Dara O’Shea (Burnley)

 

£9m – Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn)

 

£8m – Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton)

 

£8m – Aro Muric (Burnley)

 

£2m – Alex Palmer (West Brom)

 

£1.5m – George Hirst (Leicester)

 

£1.5m – Nathan Broadhead (Everton)

 

£1.5m – Jack Taylor

 

£1.2m – Leif Davis (Leeds)

 

£1m – Harry Clarke (Arsenal)

 

£1m – Ali Al-Hamadi (AFC Wimbledon)

 

£750k – Conor Chaplin (Barnsley)

 

£500k – Conor Townsend (West Brom)

 

£150k – Sam Morsy (Middlesbrough)

 

Nominal fee – Wes Burns (Fleetwood)

 

Nominal fee – Christian Walton (Brighton)

 

Nominal fee – Cieran Slicker (Man City)

 

Free agent – Axel Tuanzebe

 

Bosman free – Ben Johnson

 

Homegrown – Luke Woolfenden

 

Homegrown – Cameron Humphreys

 

Homegrown – Elkan Baggott

 

 

 

Ipswich Town have been linked with a move for Burnley star Josh Brownhill

Ipswich Town have been linked with a move for Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill, who is out of contract this summer.

 

Alan Nixon claims that the Blues are confident that they can offer more money than the Clarets, which could lead to an attempt to bring him to Portman Road this summer.

 

Burnley are in discussions about a new deal for Brownhill, but nothing has been agreed. As it stands, he will become a free agent at the start of next month, with numerous links to Premier League outfit West Ham in the last few weeks.

 

The 29-year-old is from Warrington, having come through Manchester United’s academy before spells at Preston North End and Bristol City. He has played four seasons in the top flight for Burnley, helping them win promotion from the Championship as club captain, providing 18 goals and six assists.

 

 

 

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Leeds United’s Joel Piroe (26) was the only player in the second tier with more goal contributions than Brownhill (24).

 

He also has a Championship title on his CV, lifting it under Vincent Kompany in 2022/23.

 

 

Brownhill captained the Clarets to promotion last season

 

 

In terms of the reliability of the rumour, it’s hard to tell. This is one where we’ll have to wait and see. Whether it’s agent-driven in a bid to get more money from another club, or whether Ipswich are really keen on Brownhill, I’m not sure at this stage.

 

The only red flag is his age. 29 is definitely over the target range, but there are enough factors that would make him an appealing signing.

 

His experience in the Premier League and the Championship is really impressive. He’s clearly a top-end second-tier player, coming off the back of an exceptional campaign at Burnley. Now he’s heading into the final days of his contract, it’s easy to understand why there’s so much interest.

 

To get 18 goals in the Championship, when only three have come from the spot, is a pretty impressive return, especially considering that he has been playing in a deep-lying midfield pivot next to Josh Cullen.

 

Town need midfielders this summer – at least two. We’ve seen links for Jens Cajuste’s return, but for now, he’s gone, as are Kalvin Phillips and Massimo Luongo. Brownhill would surely be able to play at a high level for another few years.

 

So this is one to watch. Brownhill would be a really good addition, especially on a free transfer, and I think he’d thrive under McKenna. For now, this is one to file under ‘speculation’, but I wouldn’t be overly surprised to see it develop into more.

 

Crucially, it would be a bit of a statement. Ipswich have signed the best players from the teams below them in the pyramid. If they can take a star from the league above, that would be a stunning move.

 

 

As Ipswich Town prepare for the 2025/26 season following their remarkable return to the Premier League, speculation around transfer activity is heating up.

Kieran McKenna’s side, known for their high-energy pressing and structured midfield play, are expected to strengthen their squad significantly — and the midfield appears to be a key area of focus. Here’s a look at the midfielders linked with a move to Portman Road in recent weeks.

 

Jacob Greaves (Hull City)

 

While primarily a centre-back, Jacob Greaves has occasionally slotted into a holding midfield role, prompting links with Ipswich, especially as McKenna reportedly admires his ball-playing abilities. Though not a conventional midfielder, his versatility could be attractive to a team needing squad depth. Hull may be reluctant to sell, but a bid north of £10 million could tempt them.

 

Lewis Fiorini (Manchester City)

 

Ipswich are also rumoured to be eyeing Manchester City midfielder Lewis Fiorini. The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Blackpool, showing flashes of creativity and long-range passing that could suit McKenna’s tactical approach. With City likely to sanction a permanent deal or another Championship loan, Ipswich could be well-placed to swoop — particularly if Fiorini is open to regular top-flight minutes.

 

Alex Scott (Bournemouth)

 

One of the more ambitious links sees Ipswich reportedly interested in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. The former Bristol City star has struggled for consistent starts at the Vitality Stadium but remains highly rated for his vision and technical ability. A loan move has been mooted, though Bournemouth may prefer to keep him unless a sizeable offer arrives. Still, Ipswich’s Premier League status could prove persuasive.

 

Matt O’Riley (Celtic)

 

Ipswich are also one of several English clubs monitoring Celtic’s Matt O’Riley. The Danish midfielder was one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership last season, combining goals, assists, and relentless work rate.

 

Valued at around £15–20 million, a move would signal serious intent from Town. Whether Ipswich can fend off interest from larger Premier League sides remains to be seen, but their project under McKenna is an increasingly attractive prospect.

 

Joe Rothwell (Free Agent)

 

With financial pragmatism in mind, Joe Rothwell, recently released by Bournemouth, is another name reportedly on Ipswich’s radar. The 29-year-old brings Premier League experience, positional flexibility, and a good engine. While not the most glamorous name, his availability on a free transfer makes him a logical squad addition — particularly if Ipswich want reliable depth without breaking the bank.

 

Summary

 

Midfield reinforcements are clearly a priority for Ipswich Town this summer, with names ranging from young talents like Fiorini to established professionals like O’Riley and Rothwell. McKenna’s ability to improve players and integrate them into his dynamic system may be key to attracting new arrivals.

Whether Ipswich splash out on a marquee name or build smartly with depth and potential in mind, the midfield will be a space to watch closely as the transfer window progresses.

 

 

 

Ipswich Town will be making early preparations for their return to the Championship.

 

The Suffolk-based outfit endured a miserable return to the big time, failing to bridge the gap between second tier sides and the established top-flight clubs after Kieran McKenna’s men collected just 22 points.

 

Ipswich know that they will be expected to leapfrog straight back to the Premier League due to the superior financial resources they possess, although a successful summer transfer window will be imperative for the club to compete towards the top end of the table.

 

With this in mind, Football League World has rounded up the latest news surrounding the club.

 

Brentford eyeing Kieran McKenna move to replace Thomas Frank

Kieran McKenna after Ipswich Town’s win vs Chelsea

As per TBR Football, Brentford have placed Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna on their list of targets to replace Thomas Frank, who is set to depart the Bees for Tottenham Hotspur.

 

Brentford have reportedly been impressed with the success McKenna has brought to Portman Road over the last few years, and he is a name firmly on their radar.

 

Liam Rosenior is also in the mix after impressing in his first year with French side Strasbourg, while there has been talk of assistant manager Justin Cochrane taking the reins, although an internal promotion is believed to be unlikely at this stage.

 

Understandably turning down Brighton due to Ipswich’s participation in the Premier League last season, it could well be a different story this term, with the Bees potentially offering McKenna a fast-track route back into the top-flight.

 

Dara O’Shea committed to Ipswich Town cause amid PL speculation

dara o’shea in text

Ipswich Town defender Dara O’Shea has outlined his commitment to Ipswich Town in the Championship, despite links to Premier League clubs surfacing.

 

The former West Brom centre-back recorded a third relegation on his CV and is rumoured to have interest from Premier League clubs yet again, including former employers Burnley, as well as Leeds and Wolves.

 

But when talking to the Irish Mirror, O’Shea insisted he was in it for the long haul at Portman Road.

 

Reported by the Irish Mirror, O’Shea said: “I’m fully committed to Ipswich at the moment.

 

“I’ve got another four years there, and I want to get the club back into the Premier League.

 

“I’m ambitious as a player, and obviously I want to be playing in the Premier League, but I know it’s not as easy as that. Whatever happens in football, it happens for a reason. You have a journey, and you’ve got to stick to that sometimes.

 

“I feel like I’m well capable of playing in the Premier League, and I’ve got to get myself back there now. I spoke to the gaffer at Ipswich and that’s the task he’s set me – to carry on those standards of a Premier League player and still owe it to myself to be like that.

 

“It’s really hard when you come off the back of relegation, but I’m happy with how I played. I’ve grown into a leader and I play better when I have that responsibility.”

 

Sam Morsy exit plan revealed as Middle East sides look to pounce

Sam Morsy

According to TEAMtalk, Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy may leave the club this summer, with the Tractor Boys believed to be willing for him to exit for free, despite having another year left on his current deal.

 

Morsy has reportedly agreed to these terms, with TEAMtalk adding sides in the Middle East are monitoring the situation.

 

Emmanuel Latte Lath for Middlesbrough and Kieran McKenna for Ipswich Town

 

Ipswich Town eyeing 26-year-old ex-Middlesbrough striker – 4 months after completing £22.5m transfer

Morsy has played such a pivotal role in Ipswich’s rise up the leagues, and it would be such a sad ending to a glittering spell in Suffolk.

 

It does appear puzzling why Ipswich would let a figure with such experience and guile go in the heart of their engine room, with that second-tier knowhow potentially vital to securing immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

 

 

Ipswich Town: Eight Strikers Who Could Replace Liam Delap

 

With Liam Delap returning to Manchester City after a loan spell at Portman Road, Ipswich Town are on the hunt for a new striker to spearhead their attack.

Delap’s physicality, pressing, and ability to stretch defences were crucial components of Kieran McKenna’s system. Replacing him won’t be easy, but there are several exciting options who could fill the void. Here are eight strikers Ipswich Town should consider this summer.

 

1. Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth)

An experienced Championship forward, Moore would offer Ipswich aerial dominance and a proven goal threat. With Premier League experience and a strong work ethic, he could be a leader on and off the pitch. Moore may be available if Bournemouth reshuffle their squad.

 

2. Ellis Simms (Coventry City)

Simms enjoyed a productive 2023–24 season and could be tempted by a move if offered a prominent role. At 6’3”, he’s a strong, mobile striker with Championship pedigree and Premier League potential. Ipswich’s attacking style may suit him perfectly.

 

3. Jerry Yates (Swansea City)

Yates is a tenacious forward known for pressing from the front and scoring in bursts. Though he had a quiet campaign last season, his movement and energy would make him a good fit in McKenna’s system. He also adds versatility, being able to play in a front two.

 

4. Josh Maja (West Bromwich Albion)

A smart, technical striker, Maja could thrive in Ipswich’s possession-based approach. Injuries have hindered his impact at West Brom, but he remains a clinical finisher when fit. A fresh start could rejuvenate his career.

 

5. Liam Millar (FC Basel)

The Canadian international has pace and creativity, offering a slightly different profile from Delap. While more of a wide forward, Millar has played centrally and would suit Ipswich’s fluid attacking style. A loan or permanent move could be viable.

 

6. Tom Cannon (Leicester City)

Cannon had a breakthrough spell at Preston before joining Leicester. With limited minutes under Enzo Maresca, a loan move could benefit all parties. He’s quick, confident, and has the finishing ability to shine in a team like Ipswich.

 

7. Jamal Lowe (Free Agent)

Recently released by Bournemouth, Lowe brings versatility and Championship experience. He’s comfortable as a central striker or winger and could offer short-term impact with minimal financial risk. His pressing and directness could replicate some of Delap’s strengths.

 

8. Rhys Healey (Free Agent)

Having returned from France, Healey is a wildcard option. He boasts a strong scoring record in Ligue 2 and MLS, and at 29, he’s entering his peak years. If Ipswich want a hungry, proven finisher, Healey might be worth a punt.

 

 

Replacing Delap won’t just be about goals—it’s about finding a forward who fits Ipswich’s high-tempo, intelligent system. Whether they opt for youth, experience, or a tactical curveball, the next striker will play a crucial role in Town’s Championship ambitions—or potentially, a Premier League push.

 

 

 

 

 

Liam Delap finalised his transfer from Ipswich Town to Chelsea this week, but EFL Analysis understands another one of Kieran McKenna’s strikers faces an uncertain future.

 

Ipswich Town’s Premier League dream came crashing down last term, with Kieran McKenna’s men suffering an instant return to the Championship in 19th position.

 

Although McKenna had an expensively assembled squad to select from, there were only a few rare highlights, and one of those was Liam Delap.

 

The 22-year-old plundered 12 Premier League goals for the Tractor Boys, and now, Delap has completed his £30m move to Chelsea.

 

It leaves Ipswich needing to find a replacement for the Englishman, and he isn’t the only one poised to exit Portman Road.

 

 

Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi faces an uncertain future

Ipswich are looking to invest in new strikers to not only replace Delap but complement the likes of George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead and Ali Al-Hamadi.

 

The one who arguably faces the most uncertain future, though, is Al-Hamadi, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Stoke City after playing just 124 minutes in the top flight.

 

To get the lowdown on where Ipswich currently stand with their striker situation, and particularly the future of the Iraq international, EFL Analysis spoke to Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey.

 

“I’m not sure Al-Hamadi has much of a future there given how much we know that Ipswich are looking to invest in new strikers, but that depends on how many strikers Kieran McKenna wants,” Bailey said.

 

“He may want four strikers, which some teams do like and there’s history for it in terms of teams getting promoted. Could I see him going next season with four strikers? Why not?

 

“They’ve got the finances to do it. You can pay for it in that squad. So why wouldn’t they? And with someone like Al-Hamadi, he’s someone McKenna signed, so they do like him.

 

“Obviously he wasn’t available in the Premier League. But I think there’s a chance he stays. It would just depend on him if he wants to. Does he want to play? He’s not going to be leading the line, but if he fancies his chances of competing, he could stay. What we do know is they’re going to bring at least one big name in, but he could be one of four there.”

 

Al-Hamadi has to leave Ipswich for guaranteed minutes

Al-Hamadi’s journey from playing at AFC Wimbledon in League Two to the Premier League in less than a year was nothing short of remarkable.

 

But after a return of five goals in 27 appearances for Ipswich, the 23-year-old hasn’t discovered his prolific edge at a higher level.

 

For the striker to enjoy a successful 2025/26 campaign, he must seek to exit Ipswich, with other Championship clubs surely interested in taking him.

 

That is because, once Ipswich sign a big name to replace Delap, they will have Hirst challenging for first-choice, pushing Al-Hamadi further down the pecking order.

 

Al-Hamadi was labelled ‘incredible’ by teammate Hirst, but he’s yet to prove he can score goals in a promotion-chasing side, suggesting he should leave either on loan or permanently.