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Category: Ipswich town

  • Ian Wright urges Man Utd to sign ‘hungry’ Chelsea transfer target

    Ian Wright urges Man Utd to sign ‘hungry’ Chelsea transfer target

    Ian Wright has urged Manchester United to make a summer swoop for Ipswich Town striker and Chelsea transfer target Liam Delap.

    Delap has impressed in his first season in the Premier League, scoring nine goals in 23 appearances since arriving at Portman Road from Manchester City in the summer.

    The 22-year-old’s exploits and physical characteristics have led to interest from several top clubs, with Chelsea said to be one of the clubs monitoring the striker’s situation ahead of next summer.

    A return to City could also be on the cards as Pep Guardiola’s side are said to have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal that saw Delap originally move to Ipswich.

    United, meanwhile, still find themselves in desperate need of a reliable goalscorer, with Ruben Amorim even resorting to deploying Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in early February.

    Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have flattered to deceive since their respective moves to Old Trafford, with the pair registering just five goals combined in the league this season.

    And having opted against signing another forward in January, Wright believes the club should now go all out to try and win the race for Delap’s signature in the summer.

    ‘Go and get Delap,’ the former Arsenal striker on the most recent episode of Wrighty’s House when addressing United’s striking woes.

    ‘The thing is he’s got that hunger and disrespect for everybody and it just feels like the kind of player they need.

    ‘They need a hero like that and he’s a hero waiting to happen. He’s hungry.’

    Wright, however, was keen to stress that United’s in-possession approach must improve drastically before any striker can truly thrive in Amorim’s set-up.

    ‘Obviously, Zirkzee came on (against Leicester in the FA Cup) and he got one but I don’t think they put the ball in the box enough,’ Wright added.

    ‘I don’t think there’s anyone in the box for when the cross comes in. I don’t think they link the play or keep the ball well enough in the final third to sustain pressure on a team.

    Ruben Amorim is looking for reinforcements in the summer (Picture: Getty)

    ‘They lose the ball and then teams can break on them. There’s no structure to whether they are going to try to play through teams or around them.

    ‘So the forwards don’t know what’s coming. They don’t get the kind of service they depend on.

    ‘When’s the last time you saw a Man United player score a goal where he’s got across a guy at a near post? You don’t see those goals from Man United.’

    Speaking earlier in the season, Delap said he was paying no attention to speculation linking him with a move away from Ipswich.

    ‘I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich,’ Delap told Suffolk News in late December.

    ‘We are lucky to be playing in the Premier League. I think we’ve got a great opportunity here at Ipswich and we’re just trying to show our ability week in, week out, that’s a big plus for me.’

  • Who impressed in the cup? Four players who could earn more league minutes for Town

    Who impressed in the cup? Four players who could earn more league minutes for Town

     

    Ipswich Town put in a strong display against Coventry City despite making 11 changes

    Ipswich Town put in a strong display against Coventry City despite making 11 changes 

    Ipswich Town made 11 changes for their FA Cup clash against Coventry City, winning the game 4-1. Alex Jones picks out four players who impressed against the Championship side and could look to work their way into Kieran McKenna’s Premier League starting lineup.

     

    Cameron Burgess is facing stiff competition to start at centre-back

    Cameron Burgess is facing stiff competition to start at centre-back (Image: PA)

     

    Cameron Burgess

     

    Defensively, Ipswich have a lot of depth. The first-choice back line now seems set in stone, with Axel Tuanzebe and Leif Davis playing either side of Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves. Consistency is key in that part of the pitch.

     

    That leaves the likes of Ben Godfrey, Ben Johnson and Luke Woolfenden in a difficult position. Cameron Burgess finds himself in a similar situation.

     

    The 29-year-old hasn’t been left totally in the cold. He was brought in for his first Premier League start against Everton back in October, which happened due to Greaves’ hamstring injury.

     

    He’s played 10 games at the level so far this season, registering an assist for Conor Chaplin’s goal against Bournemouth in December.

     

    His consistent displays saw him briefly keep his place in the starting lineup once Greaves returned to fitness, but the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United changed all of that. His only league start since then came in the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.

     

    With McKenna keen to pack his bench with attacking options, there’s rarely any space for natural centre-backs. That being said, Burgess rarely puts a foot wrong and surely has to be in the manager’s mind.

     

    Could another strong display against Coventry see him force his way into the starting lineup? With this entire discussion, there is, of course, the caveat that the FA Cup tie was against a Championship side that made four changes, but it shouldn’t take much away from the display as a whole

     

    There’s every chance we see Burgess play in the Premier League again before the end of the season.

     

    Most of Jack Taylor’s Premier League minutes have come from the bench

    Most of Jack Taylor’s Premier League minutes have come from the bench

     

     

     

    There’s a big debate about Ipswich’s midfield. Sam Morsy, Jens Cajuste, Kalvin Phillips – who starts? Jack Taylor has become a side note in this entire discussion, which is probably a bit unfair.

     

    The 24-year-old has made a huge leap. Yes, he played a season in the Championship with Peterborough United in 2021/22, but his side suffered relegation back to League One, where he became one of the best players in the division.

     

    He’s since stepped up to the Premier League via a bit-part season in the second tier, now facing stiff competition to start.

     

    Everything we’ve seen from Taylor has been good. His cameos have been sharp, particularly the one at Wolves, where he scored a late winner. He earned his first start in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, putting in a solid display in a game his side should have won.

     

    Since then, he has only started in the FA Cup, having scored against Bristol Rovers in the third round – albeit from a blatantly offside position.

     

    Is there a chance he gets another look in? With question marks surrounding Morsy’s performances, Cajuste’s fitness and Phillips’ consistency, it’s not impossible. He offers something different to those three as well, which could be used to Town’s advantage in some games.

     

    Jack Clarke scored twice and provided an assist against the Sky Blues

    Jack Clarke scored twice and provided an assist against the Sky Blues

     

     

     

    Welcome to the party, Jack Clarke. We saw glimpses of promise in a Town shirt, but his display against Coventry showed what he’s capable of.

     

    Overall, it’s been a tough start to life at Portman Road for the winger, who has started just five games in the Premier League. His best display came at home to Aston Villa back in September, where he bagged the assist for Liam Delap’s opener, but he wasn’t able to sustain his form.

     

    Despite notching a goal and an assist against Bristol Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup, his confidence has clearly taken a hit. He started against Manchester City and looked lively, but then faded and made a terrible mistake that led to their fifth goal.

     

    He failed to make the squad for the subsequent game at Liverpool and only played two minutes off the bench against Southampton. At that point, it was hard to see a way back.

     

    The win at Coventry showed a different side to his game. He felt like the main man in attack, but he also linked up well with those around him. He was selfish and clinical at times, but he also sacrificed an opportunity for a hat-trick to set up Jaden Philogene for his first Ipswich goal.

     

    Crucially, he enjoyed playing in that match. He looked much more like his old self, like the one that tore the Championship to shreds with Sunderland. His performance, coupled with the scenes after the match where he was pushed to celebrate in front of the away fans, should do him the world of good.

     

    Performing like that against Premier League opposition is another matter entirely, but this game could give him the platform to kick on. With Sammie Szmodics set for another spell on the sidelines, there may be some more opportunities for him on the horizon.

     

    George Hirst suffered three injuries between December 2023 and November 2024

    George Hirst suffered three injuries between December 2023 and November 2024

     

    Striker George Hirst hasn’t had it easy this season. Having picked up an injury over the summer, he returned to find that Delap had taken his place in the starting lineup following a run of hot form at the start of the season.

     

    His comeback lasted less than two months before he suffered another knock, ruling him out for a couple of months. That was his third injury in less than a year – a gutting moment for him.

     

    He’s determined to stay fit now. If he can do so, there’s no reason why he can’t earn more starts in the Premier League.

     

    Yes, Delap’s form is an issue for him. There’s no real platform for him to play week in, week out, but McKenna isn’t afraid to rotate. We saw that away at Brentford – Hirst’s only Premier League start so far this season – where the former Manchester City man was brought off the bench instead.

     

    Hirst’s two starts this season have seen him notch a goal and an assist in each. If he can stay fit, then those cameo appearances could turn into starts. Based on what we’ve seen so far, he would be ready to take those opportunities.

     

    There aren’t many players who boast the same attributes as him – tall and physical, yet agile, mobile and intelligent on the ball with a clear eye for goal.

     

    He showed that on numerous occasions against Coventry, creating the chance for the penalty before firing home from the spot. His assist for Clarke looked simple, but required him to turn and find a pocket of space to play the pass.

     

    McKenna will know how to get the most out of the 25-year-old between now and the end of the season. As one of two natural strikers in the squad, he will have a big part to play.

  • Leeds development may have solved one Premier League transfer worry for Farke

    Leeds development may have solved one Premier League transfer worry for Farke

    It always seems like tempting fate when looking ahead to plans after possible promotion. It’s never wise to count your chickens before they’ve hatched.

    Leeds United and Daniel Farke know this after last year, and they won’t be getting ahead of themselves. Yet there will be a word document somewhere at Thorp Arch with an idealistic plan of how the next few years look under the 49ers.

    Promotion will be top of the agenda. Stadium expansion might also be on there somewhere too. It would not be outlandish to suggest that United’s fate this season dictates the pace of how fast the blueprints are put together.

    Recruitment will, meanwhile, have an eye on the summer already. Having overseen a quiet January with no money spent, and actually a little gained, Leeds have a little more room within Financial Fair Play limits. They will need it if they do go up.

    While this squad is the best in the division on paper – and on the field, currently – there are major doubts over whether this set of players can stay up in the top-flight. A major overhaul in many areas would be needed.

    One area that might be less of a concern is right-back. Jayden Bogle has been in terrific form in recent months, so much so that Farke said he had been his best player over the festive period.

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    Not only is he so obviously effective going forward – with four goals and two assists to his name – but his defensive work should also not be ignored. When he loses a duel or is beaten, it registers in the mind because of how infrequent this is.

    Bogle is not quite bulletproof but he is the best any second division side can hope for. Even Farke believes he has the best right-back in the Championship.

    Speaking at Thorp Arch on Monday, the manager said: “In this [right-back] position we have lots of competition. Jayden is probably the standout performer in this position in the league.”

    Leeds have certainly got their money’s worth from their £5million summer signing. No other Championship right-back has scored more than his four goals while his two assists also makes him one of the top defenders for overall goal contributions.

    The 24-year-old has 50 Premier League appearances under his belt and he is sure to build on that tally before long. Leeds will just hope this happens while he is still on their books.

    If United do go up, then fans could see an influx of new faces, a number of whom could become line-up regulars. There would still be several familiar names though – Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Daniel James to name three.

    If Bogle continues his form and upwards trajectory, he will be on that list too. But first, eyes down and focus on the task in hand. Because not going up could have fatal ramifications for United’s long-term strategy plans.

     

  • FA Cup fifth round draw in full – Brighton, Man United and Ipswich Town confirmed

    FA Cup fifth round draw in full – Brighton, Man United and Ipswich Town confirmed

     

    Brighton fell behind when goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inexplicably spilled Cole Palmer’s tame effort into the net.

    Georginio Rutter quickly headed Albion level before a fine finish from Mitoma, who was subject of a failed bid from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr during the transfer window, settled the all Premier League tie with 57 minutes played.

    Their reward for beating the Blues was another all-Premier League tie as they face a 700-mile round trip to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who advanced to the fifth round thanks to their 3-2 victory at Birmingham City last weekend.

    Elsewhere, Plymouth’s reward for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup is a fifth-round tie away to Manchester City.

    The Pilgrims dumped the current Premier League leaders out of the competition with a 1-0 win on Sunday, and will now head to the Etihad Stadium for a last-16 tie on the first weekend of March.

    Cup holders Manchester United will face Fulham after beating Leicester in controversial circumstances while there are also all-Premier League ties between Bournemouth and Wolves.

    Fifth round draw in full: Preston v Burnley, Aston Villa v Cardiff, Doncaster or Crystal Palace v Millwall, Manchester United v Fulham, Newcastle v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Manchester City v Plymouth, Exeter or Nottingham Forest v Ipswich.

  • Arsenal youth talent joins Ipswich Town

    Arsenal youth talent joins Ipswich Town

    Arsenal academy 15-year-old Jayden Adetiba has spent time out on trial with various clubs recently, including Bournemouth, Brentford, and Ipswich Town.

    Adetiba was at the right age to sign a scholarship contract with Arsenal this summer, but it seems he wasn’t offered that opportunity, and he’ll move elsewhere to do so.

    Adetiba worked his way up through the ranks, scoring for the Arsenal u18s in a pre-season game against Paderborn last summer. He then made his competitive debut in the u18 Premier League Cup, playing in a 5-3 win over Liverpool in August.

    But that turned out to be his only competitive showing for the Arsenal u18s, and he’s spent much of this season either playing for the u16s or looking for his next club

    But that turned out to be his only competitive showing for the Arsenal u18s, and he’s spent much of this season either playing for the u16s or looking for his next club.

    The exception was in November, when Adetiba played his first international minutes with the UAE u16s, scoring against Mexico.

  • Man United and Chelsea race to sign Liam Delap – sources

    Man United and Chelsea race to sign Liam Delap – sources

    Man United and Chelsea are both keen on a potential summer deal for Ipswich Town star Liam Delap, sources have told Football Insider.

    The 22-year-old has caught the eye of top Premier League sides with his performances for the Tractor Boys this term

    .

    Ipswich are one of the favourites to be relegated from the top flight this term despite the successful signing of Delap from Man City last summer (2024).

    It is believed Kieran McKenna’s side will find it extremely difficult to keep the powerful striker at Portman Road if they do drop back into to the Championship.

    Man United and Chelsea are the frontrunners to sign the England Under-21 international in the off-season should Ipswich go down.

    Delap has made just 25 Premier League appearances but is desperate to remain in England’s elite division past the end of the 2024-25 campaign

    Delap has thrived in the Premier League after loan spells in the Championship with Hull City, Stoke City and Preston North End.

    Football Insider has been told by ex-United chief scout Mick Brown that Ruben Amorim’s side have a “clear plan” to sign the best young talent from across the world.

    Delap, who broke goalscoring records in City’s youth sides, could form part of that strategy at Old Trafford after a rocky start to life for Amorim.

    Brown also told Football Insider in January that United have been planning to sign a new striker after growing frustrated with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee

  • FA CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW DETAILS

    FA CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW DETAILS

    Town are ball number six in the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round draw, which will take place on Monday evening.

    The draw is scheduled for around 7.20pm GMT and will be broadcast live on BBC One as part of The One Show.

    Ipswich Town secured a 4-1 win over Coventry City at the CBS Arena on Saturday, following a 3-0 victory against Bristol Rovers at Portman Road in the third round.

    The fifth-round matches will be played during the weekend of 1 March.

    Ball numbers:

    1. Manchester United
    2. Millwall
    3. Brighton & Hove Albion
    4. Preston North End
    5. Exeter City or Nottingham Forest
    6. Ipswich Town
    7. Wolverhampton Wanderers
    8. Fulham
    9. Newcastle United
    10. Plymouth Argyle
    11. Bournemouth
    12. Aston Villa
    13. Burnley
    14. Manchester City
    15. Doncaster Rovers or Crystal Palace

    Cardiff City

  • Injury update on defender Janoi Donacien ahead of Walsall clash

    Injury update on defender Janoi Donacien ahead of Walsall clash

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  • When Chelsea could complete Liam Delap signing as major transfer update emerges

    When Chelsea could complete Liam Delap signing as major transfer update emerges

     

    Chelsea made just one signing, 19-year-old Mathis Amougou, and allowed a fan favourite in Joao Felix to join AC Milan on loan. It is now being reported that Chelsea will sell Felix in the summer.

    However, while fans would not have been too happy about how the club’s January transfer window went, things could be a lot different in the next window.

    The Blues already look to be closing in on Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has impressed this season.

    Chelsea could sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town before start of Club World Cup

    Chelsea were heavily linked with Delap last month. It was reported on more than one occasion that Chelsea spoke to Ipswich about signing Delap.

    In the end, the Blues were unable to get their Premier League rivals to sell to them, but the summer could be another story.

    While Chelsea failed to land Delap during the January transfer window, journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the club still managed to do a lot of groundwork for a future deal and his signing could be finalised before the Club World Cup begins.

    Enzo Maresca‘s men will be competing in the tournament this summer after Chelsea’s Champions League success in 2021.

    Despite playing in a significantly weaker team, Delap has managed to match Chelsea’s first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson this season.

    Both centre-forwards have scored nine goals each in the Premier League, having played roughly the same number of minutes.

    However, when it comes to xG, Jackson has performed worse. The Senegal international should actually have three more goals to his name based on the chances that he has had, while Delap’s tally is where it should be.

    What the above suggests is that in a better team, Delap may be able to outscore Jackson. He has too much potential for Chelsea to allow him to join one of their Premier League rivals when they arguably need a new striker themselves.

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  • Didn’t see that difference” – Frank Lampard issues Coventry City, Ipswich Town comparison

    Didn’t see that difference” – Frank Lampard issues Coventry City, Ipswich Town comparison

     

     

    Coventry City boss Frank Lampard was critical of the errors which cost his side in their FA Cup round four defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday, and claimed that he didn’t see a difference in quality between the Sky Blues and the Tractor Boys on the pitch.

     

    Despite being pleased with his side’s overall performance, Lampard was frustrated by a number of key errors which left his side wondering what could have been.

     

    The Sky Blues gave the Premier League outfit a helping hand on three of their goals in the visitors’ 4-1 victory, bringing an end to their attempts to replicate last season’s remarkable run to the semi-finals.

     

    With their cup dreams over for another year, Coventry return to Championship action as early as Tuesday night, when QPR make the trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena.

     

    Frank Lampard makes Coventry City, Ipswich Town performance claim

     

    Saturday’s loss was a frustrating one forCoventryin that, for a few key moments in the game, they became architects of their own downfall.

    They found themselves a goal down in just the second minute of the cup tie, after they gave the ball away from their own kick-off at the start of the game.

     

    Despite the errors leaving something of a bitter taste for Lampard, he was pleased with the endeavour shown by his side for the most part, against top flight opposition.

     

    Speaking after the defeat, Lampard said: “I thought the performance was ok. I thought it was a competitive game against a Premier League team.

     

    “I think we probably edged the possession, and chances, maybe we edged it overall. They had better chances, which were predominantly from errors and mistakes from us, which is disappointing. Other than that, I don’t think the scoreline really reflects the game. It’s just a reality for us and that’s how I see it.

     

    “You look at the game and there was some good stuff from us. The way we came out in the second half and kept pushing.

     

    “There were a couple of defensive errors but other than that, it’s probably the clinical nature of them at the top end of the pitch compared to us is a bit different. Other than that, there’s not so much I can complain about really.”

     

    Lampard was also keen to stress that he didn’t feel there was a gulf in quality between the two teams, despite the visitors playing at a higher level than his Coventry side.

     

    “They’re a team who were really strong in the league last year and are now competing in the Premier League, but I didn’t see that difference in the game, personally, other than the scoreline,” Lampard added.

     

    “Again, I am not stupid and that’s the reality of it, but big parts of the game I think we can take forward positively.

     

    “We must, as always, look at the errors because some of them I really don’t like, but it is what it is.”

     

     

    Frank Lampard issues Coventry City transfer revelation

    Coventry City will be disappointed at not being able to mount 2023/24-esque FA Cup run

    With Saturday’s defeat bringing the Sky Blues’ cup dreams to a close for another season, their attention will turn back to the league for the remainder of the season.

     

    Coventry are one of several sides who will surely harbour play-off ambitions, and their upturn in form under Lampard certainly has them in with a chance.

     

    They now sit just four points behind Blackburn Rovers in the final top six spot and are among a big group of teams ready to pounce on the opportunity, should Rovers slip up.

     

    Despite there being an exciting end to the season on the cards for the Midlands outfit, there will surely be a bit of disappointment that they have been unable to replicate their cup exploits from last season.

     

    The second tier side enjoyed an extraordinary run that carried them all the way to the semi-finals last term.

     

    Coventry City FA Cup Run 2023/24

     

    Round 3

     

    Oxford United (H) – Won 6-2

     

    Round 4

     

    Sheffield Wednesday (A) – Drew 1-1

     

    Round 4 Replay

     

    Sheffield Wednesday (H) – Won 4-1

     

    Round 5

     

    Maidstone United (H) – Won 5-0

     

    Quarter-Final

     

    Wolves (A) – Won 3-2

     

    Semi-Final

     

     

     

    A late comeback at Molineux saw them down Wolves in the quarter-final, setting up a tie with giants Manchester United under the Wembley arch.

     

    The Sky Blues came from 3-0 down to force extra-time, before eventually losing on penalties in typically gut-wrenching fashion.

     

    While the FA Cup is unlikely to have been a priority for Lampard and his men this season, there will surely be a feeling of disappointment that they haven’t had chance to re-live the heroics of 2023/24.