Football Season Guide

Ipswich’s return to the Premier League after a 22-year absence ended in relegation as they finished second from bottom, after just four wins in the top-flight all season. Town’s biggest issue was their inability to hold onto leads, dropping a massive 27 points from winning positions – the most in the league. Ultimately, the gulf in quality and experienced proved too much for them to overcome. Despite their inability to compete at the highest level last season, of the three promoted teams that came straight back down to the Championship, the Tractor Boys appear to be the most stable and well-equipped to return to the Premier League. Perhaps the key factor in that thinking is retaining Kieran McKenna, the manager who guided the club to back-to-back promotions and was named Championship Manager of the Season in 2023/24. McKenna had been linked with several bigger clubs but has resisted the temptation so far and knows what it takes to succeed at Championship level. The transfer market has seen the almost inevitable departure of top scorer Liam Delap to Chelsea and the club have yet to bring in a replacement, but did get over £30million for him to reinvest back into the squad. Defensive-midfielder Azor Matusiwa has been their marquee summer signing so far and appears to have the physicality to adapt to English football. One player who won’t need that is veteran Ashley Young who has vast experience of playing at the very highest level for both club and country. Dara O'Shea has been named as the new club captain after Sam Morsy left for Kuwait. A few more signings may be necessary but Ipswich do have some quality players like Leif Davis, Sammie Smzodics, Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson who have all proven to be difference-makers in the Championship.