SoccerVibes

Category: Ipswich town

  • McKenna: Donacien Said Emotional Goodbyes – Ipswich Town News

    McKenna: Donacien Said Emotional Goodbyes – Ipswich Town News

     

    Town boss Kieran McKenna has paid tribute to defender Janoi Donacien, who was at Playford Road for the last time yesterday saying his goodbyes ahead of his move to League Two Chesterfield.

    TWTD revealed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old St Lucia international is close to joining the Spireites, who are managed by former Blues boss Paul Cook, on a deal to the end of the season.

    Donacien was released by the Blues in the summer after six eventful years at the club having missed most of last season with a groin injury but remained at Town as he worked on getting back to fu

    .
    >McKenna says the Luton-raised defender, who joined the Blues from Accrington during Paul Hurst’s spell as boss ahead of 2018/19, will be missed by all at Town.

    “Janoi said his goodbyes in here yesterday to the group and to the staff and quite emotional really because he’s a fantastic person, is loved by everyone here, loved by the supporters as well,” he said.

    “He has a brilliant story at the club really, sort of summarises the highs and the lows from arriving and then having a really difficult first season.

    “The resilience that he’s shown then in the more difficult times at the club, to be out on loan twice [back to Accrington and to Fleetwood] but to keep coming back and giving his best.

    “And then to come full circle, to get back in the team pretty regularly before I arrived and then he played in my first game and had such a massive part in the promotion from League One.

    “He also had a big part to play in the squad last year. Started the season really well at right-back, then unfortunately had injuries throughout the season, so wasn’t able to play as much as we would have liked to have had him play, but had a massive part to play behind the scenes.

    “Just a great guy, positive energy, great vibe all the time, really good in the dressing room and has written his place in the history of the football club, like so many others in that group.

    “He had his operation in the summer, which is thankfully fixed now, the issue that he missed last season with, so he’s been in a pretty good position health-wise this season.

    “Has trained with us for the last few months. Apart from one or two little minor side issues, his fitness has been great, he’s looked good in training and he’s just really keen to go out and get some games now.

    “So I think he’s going to go and do that at Chesterfield, hopefully, I believe that’s close to completion, and will be sorely missed around the building.

    “But he also leaves with great fondness, great memories and having had a big part to play in the club and I know for a fact, like so many others in the group that he’s been with for the last few years, will always be welcome at the club in the years to come.”

     

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  • Imagine him & Philogene: Ipswich chase £15m “dream” Igor Jesus upgrade

    Imagine him & Philogene: Ipswich chase £15m “dream” Igor Jesus upgrade

    Much like the first transfer window Ipswich Town found themselves involved in after promotion, this January window looks set to be a busy one for the relegation-threatened side. After all, this drawn-out month gives them a fantastic opportunity to recruit fresh blood that can help in their ongoing quest to stay put in the Premier League.

    Already, Ipswich have signed Ben Godfrey on a loan deal to bolster defensively, with rumours now focusing in on the exciting Suffolk side adding in more firepower up top.

    It looks as if Godfrey won’t be the only confirmed signing this early into January either, with Jaden Philogene reportedly joining the building for a £20m fee from Aston Villa to gift McKenna’s men a daring option down the right wing.

    Ipswich aren’t done there, however, with the Premier League minnows remaining in the search for Middlesbrough sharp shooter Emmanuel Latte Lath, despite GIVEMESPORT previously disclosing that Leeds United are out in front in seeking to land the clinical Ivorian

    The Whites are now considering lodging a £15m bid to try and win the Boro number nine, but Ipswich won’t be fazed by this new development, hoping that the allure of top-flight football could sway Latte Lath into calling Portman Road his next home before the February deadline is up. Latte Lath could well strike up a devastating attacking duo with Philogene if a deal is reached, with the tricky winger a superstar in the Championship with Hull City last season, and will now be ready – like his Boro counterpart – to now take the division above by storm.

    The Tractor Boys would get a better deal with Latte Lath because he is already a strong attacker in the English game, even though Ipswich might spend the money carelessly on Igor Jesus to go from Botafogo for £30 million.

    It would all depend though on whether or not the 26-year-old would be able to handle the step-up, but when you glance at his goalscoring numbers in the EFL to date.

    26 of Latte Lath’s strikes for Michael Carrick’s men have come in the bread and butter of the second tier, with ten league goals coming his way this 2024/25 so far to alert teams to his services. Jesus, meanwhile, has scored just eight times in 31 games for his current side, while there is less risk involved in Latte Lath’s signing considering his lesser price tag, and his blistering numbers to date playing on English shores means he could settle in well to McKenna’s group as another option away from Liam Delap just leading the line.

    Equally, as indicated above, Latte Lath also comes out on top with regard to goals per 90, while he also seemingly offers a great physical presence as the first line of defence, as showcased by his superior record with tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won.

    With the pair operating in comparable quality leagues – with the Championship and Brazilian Serie A listed among the ‘next 14 competitions’, outside of Europe’s top five leagues – it does demonstrate exactly what an upgrade the Boro man would be over his Botafogo counterpart

    Likewise, Philogene will pray he finally gets his chance to impress in the big-time at Ipswich, having been used infrequently by Unai Emery at Villa Park. Indeed, the ex-Hull ace has only been thrown in from the start in league action this season two times, despite setting the second tier alight last campaign at the Tigers

    There was, of course, this outrageous strike that went viral for looping over the Rotherham United goalkeeper’s head, with Philogene registering 12 goals and six assists overall in the Championship.

    With a spot down the right wing more open, owing to Wes Burns being the only fit option currently, the reserve Villa figure could become a main spark in the first team when making the switch to Suffolk.

    Latte Lath – who was once described as being a “dream to play with” by Boro teammate Luke Ayling – will hope his fair share of first-team opportunities comes about if he joins, with the pair potentially making Ipswich even more threatening in attack ahead of tough games to follow near the foot of the league.