Over the last couple of years, Ipswich Town has risen very quickly under the leadership of Kieran McKenna. The Northern Irishman led the club from League One to the Premier League with back-to-back titles.
Even though he was successful at Portman Road, the 38-year-old will have the hardest job of his career as a manager when he tries to keep the Tractor Boys in the top flight after this season.
Their fans will remember this year for a long time because it was their first season in England’s top flight in 22 years.
Meetings with teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United will give fans renewed hope that they can stay in the Premier League and make sure they don’t go another twenty years without playing in the top league.
Because of their sudden rise in the last two seasons, the club had to make a lot of investments over the summer. As a result, they signed a player with a lot of Premier League experience.
Kalvin Phillips is moving to Ipswich Town.
The winger played just ten times in all competitions during a failed loan move to West Ham United. Kalvin Phillips had a lot of options for his next move, which could help spark his once-promising career.
Before moving to Manchester City for £45 million in the summer of 2022, the 28-year-old had a good time with Leeds United, starting 234 times for the team where he grew up.
But the move has been a disaster for the former England international, who has only played 31 times and hasn’t been able to get Rodri out of his starting position in defensive middle.
So, Phillips agreed to join Ipswich on loan for a season during the transfer window. His experience in the Premier League was very important to McKenna’s team.
The midfielder has made 77 appearances in the competition to date, with his skill set possibly giving the Tractor Boys that cutting edge in those cagey affairs.
However, they are yet to see the best of the one-time £45m signing, with the 28-year-old only on the game for 303 minutes in the league as he looks to regain his full fitness.
Whilst he certainly has the quality to be a monster hit at Portman Road, the club may have been better off pursuing a deal to re-sign a player who’s previously thrived in East Anglia.
The man who Ipswich missed out on this summer
Ipswich’s hunt for new faces took them all over Europe, but they also targeted numerous players close to home, including former Tractor Boy, Flynn Downes.
McKenna’s side made an attempt to sign the 25-year-old after he helped Southampton win promotion back to the Premier League after their play-off final victory over Leeds United at Wembley.
However, they missed out on a permanent deal to re-sign the midfielder, with Downes winning a £18m move to join Russell Martin’s side – with Ipswich moving onto other targets including Phillips.
When delving into the pair’s respective stats from the current campaign, it’s clear that the current Southampton man has outperformed the Ipswich loanee, possibly seeing McKenna’s side regret not pushing harder for his signature.
The “monstrous” Saints star, as described by his current boss, has excelled in possession, getting a much higher pass completion rate, whilst also averaging more progressive carries per 90.
A carry is called progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Out of possession, Downes also has the upper hand, winning more tackles per 90 whilst winning more aerial battles – showing the qualities he would’ve added in regaining the ball for McKenna’s side.
Undoubtedly, Phillips will provide a good short-term option for the club, but with the long-term also in mind, Downes would’ve certainly been a better addition for the Tractor Boys.
His quality is obvious, as demonstrated by his figures this season, possibly handing the East Anglian that added edge in their battle to avoid relegation this season.
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