Ipswich Town announced their retained list on Monday. Stuart Watson analyses the gaps left in the squad to fill.
PREMIER LEAGUE SQUAD RULES
As was the case in the Championship, Ipswich Town can register a maximum of 25 senior players.
Those born on or after January 1, 2003 can be included on top of that number.
As it stands, the Blues currently have 22 players under contract that are considered senior.
UNLIKELY TO BE INCLUDED
Third-choice keeper Cieran Slicker (21) was born in September 2002, so is now considered ‘senior’. He may be kept around for training, but probably won't take up a valuable squad place.
Homegrown centre-backs Corrie Ndaba (24) and Elkan Baggott (21), who have been at Kilmarnock and Bristol Rovers respectively, have plenty of traffic in front of them. Both are now heading into the final year of their contracts. I can see Town trying to get a small fee for Ndaba and sending Baggott out on loan again.
Town have taken a 12-month extension option in midfielder Idris El Mizouni’s contract. The 23-year-old is another academy graduate likely to be cashed in on. He won’t be short of suitors after an impressive season in League One with Leyton Orient.
It’s looking a distinct possibility that striker Freddie Ladapo (31) will see the final year of his contract terminated by mutual consent after he recently struggled for game time at Charlton. Fellow forward Gassan Ahadme (23) did well at Cambridge United recently, but his contract may also have to be paid up to facilitate a departure.
22 - 6 = 16. That leaves nine senior slots to play with. Here’s how I think those gaps will be filled.
GOALKEEPER
In squad: Christian Walton
In talks: Vaclav Hladky
Released: Nick Hayes
There's a bit of uncertainty in this position right now.
Why is it taking so long for Vaclav Hladky to sign a new contract? Is it just the finances, or is the 33-year-old seeking reassurances he’ll be still seen as the first choice?
Hopefully the Czech stays as his ball playing abilities look well-suited to the top flight.
If Hladky goes, then would Christian Walton reclaim the No.1 spot? Possibly. It’s only four years ago that he was close to doing that for Brighton in the Premier League.
If Hladky stays, then Walton could well push for an exit and Ipswich would be left looking for a new back-up keeper (unless they think Slicker’s ready).
RIGHT-BACK
In squad: Harry Clarke
Released: Janoi Donacien
For me, this is towards the very top of the priority list.
Axel Tuanzebe started 11 of the final 13 games of last season at right-back and did well, but that was needs must. Centre-back is his primary position and I can see him being part of that unit.
Janoi Donacien will train with Ipswich this summer in an attempt to built his fitness up after a season of repeated groin issues. That looks more like a duty of care to a long servant rather than a road to a new contract.
That leaves Harry Clarke as Town’s only right-back and he recently underwent surgery on both Achilles tendons.
My feeling is that the man who will start the Blues’ opening game of the season in this position is not currently in the building.
CENTRE-BACK
In squad: Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess, Axel Tuanzebe, George Edmundson
Ice cool Woolfenden and left-footed warrior Burgess formed a balanced partnership last season, while Edmundson played his part whenever called upon too.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Tuanzebe has more Premier League experience (16 starts and 12 sub appearances) than the rest of the current squad combined.
I see a lot of people suggesting this position has to be the top priority to strengthen due to the fact 57 goals were conceded on the way to promotion. I don't think it's as black and white as that. The team attacks and defends as one.
I do think, however, that the squad lacks a centre-back with rapid acceleration. Having one of those to deal with Premier League speedsters could be a necessity.
LEFT-BACK
In squad: Leif Davis
Loan expired: Brandon Williams
Ultra fit assist machine Leif Davis looks a player more than ready for the step up.
He started 43 games last season. Can the 24-year-old be so robust and relentless in the Premier League? Let’s hope so.
It’s prudent for Town to bring in some back-up though.
Might Brandon Williams, a player with Premier League experience who can play both full-back positions, be considered for a return? On ability alone, it’s a free transfer signing that would make a lot of sense. There are, however, his well-publicised off-field issues to consider.
CENTRE-MIDFIELD
In squad: Sam Morsy, Massimo Luongo, Jack Taylor, Cameron Humphreys.
Loan expired: Lewis Travis
Released: Dominic Ball, Panutche Camara
Morsy and Luongo bring experience, leadership, tenacity and control. Taylor has energy and an eye for a spectacular goal.
Cameron Humphreys doesn't count towards the 25-man limit due to his age. Chances are this will be the summer he is finally sent out on loan for experience anyway.
One more midfielder is required. A big, powerful and athletic box-to-box man who can drive with the ball at feet would add some different qualities.
RIGHT-WING
In squad: Wes Burns
Released: Kayden Jackson
Following seven successive seasons of playing League One football, was Wes Burns ready to step up to the Championship? You bet he was. The flying winger proved pivotal in Town’s promotion and will bring that same hunger to the Premier League.
The Welsh international will need some competition though given Kieran McKenna asks all of his attacking players to empty the tank in games before tapping out for fresher legs in the second half.
Jackson’s raw pace and pressing qualities need replacing somewhere across the forward line.
NO.10 ROLE
In squad: Conor Chaplin
Loan expired: Omari Hutchinson
Retired: Sone Aluko
The same situation as above.
Within hours of promotion, Conor Chaplin said he wanted ‘to be a better player than I’ve ever been before’ in the Premier League. He’s another itching for this chance.
Town require more depth in the No.10 role though.
Might the electric Omari Hutchinson return? Latest reports suggest Chelsea would be open to permanent sale at £20m+. That’s a big jump in spending, even with vastly increased income.
INSIDE LEFT
In squad: Nathan Broadhead, Marcus Harness
Loan expired: Jeremy Sarmiento
The silky-smooth Broadhead, who came through Everton’s system, has all the technical requirements to be a Premier League player. There may be times when someone a little more dynamic and gritty is required for that role though.
Sarmiento may yet return from parent club Brighton. If he doesn’t, I think he’ll need replacing with another livewire dribbler to maintain a variety of weapons in the attacking arsenal.
STRIKER
In squad: George Hirst, Ali Al-Hamadi
Loan expired: Kieffer Moore
I’m excited to see what Hirst can do in the Premier League. He’s a genuine all-rounder, with room to improve and a hunger to do so. I’ve got the feeling he could surprise a few with how well he takes to the top flight.
This is the position that can make or break survival for a newly-promoted club though and Town, having been left scrambling after Hirst’s injury on Boxing Day last season, won’t want to take any chances.
I expect the Blues to spend good money on a younger, more mobile version of Kieffer Moore.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS?
If Town recruit one player for the nine positions outlined above then they hit the 25-man limit.
But what if they want to do more?
McKenna might want two new central midfielders, or two new strikers.
Or he might want to bring in a veteran player or two to act as good squad and dressing room guys following the departures of Aluko, Donacien and Ball. The value of that type of player should never be underestimated. The likes of James Milner, Adam Lallana, Ashley Young and Jonny Evans all signed for Premier League clubs in the twilight of their careers last summer and played important roles.
One way of getting more wriggle room would be to sign players born on or after January 1, 2003. It’s worth noting that Omari Hutchinson fits in that category.
The other way to create space would be to sell or loan out a player(s) under contract. George Edmundson (10 league starts in 23/34) and Marcus Harness (seven league starts in 23/24) look the only possible sales, while Ali Al-Hamadi, who was playing League Two football just last year, could potentially be loaned out for experience.
STU'S VERDICT
Town could very well sign a player for every single position this summer and still retain the core of their special promotion group.
Colleague Alex Jones recently predicted 7-9 new faces coming through the door when analysing the squad. Having now seen who’s been released, I think I’d bump that range up to 8-10.
I expect the vast majority of those recruited to tick McKenna's 'young, hungry, technical and athletic' boxes, with there to be a sprinkling of experience too.
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