With just four weeks to go until the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season, newcomers Ipswich Town are beginning to shape their squad as their survival challenge approaches.
The Tractor Boys open their first campaign in the top-flight for 22 years with a mouthwatering curtain-raiser at home to Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Welcome back boys!
Manager Kieran McKenna has already been busy in the market, and he knows full well that after guiding the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions, the Premier League 2024 betting odds will predict a rapid return to the Championship. But he has owners which are not afraid to splash the cash, and that strategy has got them this far.
McKenna used 31 players last term, a big collection for the second tier and expensively put together. Ipswich’s wage bill in their League 1 promotion season was higher than either of the Championship play-off teams of 2023, Luton Town and Coventry City.
If the club had not gone up to the Premier League in 2024, then the league’s Financial Fair Play allowances for losses over a three-year period might well have been breached.
But the gamble of the aptly named owners Gamechanger 20 paid off, and Ipswich are once again in the Promised Land. Now they have to put together a group of players who can compete with the likes of Liverpool, but more importantly teams which will be in their mini-league such as Leicester City, Southampton, and Everton.
Last season, the promoted teams took different approaches, as Luton Town stuck with their play-off winning team, adding two experienced campaigners, Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley on loan. Meanwhile, Burnley splashed £100 million on promising young players, mostly wingers, and both came crashing back down.
Maybe the Tractor Boys should try something in between.
Muric is their fourth signing
Well, Ipswich are spending big, already over the £60 million mark with their opening four acquisitions.
Following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship, the Clarets new boss Scott Parker has the task of trimming a squad of 45 to 25 men who can propel the club back to the Premier League.
Some younger players will go out on loan, but there will be a few chunky sales too, as Burnley owner Alan Pace attempts to balance the books.
Aro Muric, bought from Manchester City for £3 million is one such player. Having been left out of the side last season following the signing of England U21 keeper James Trafford, Muric felt aggrieved and so he was ripe for an approach, and Ipswich have jumped in, signing the Kosovan in a £10 million deal, potentially rising to £15 million.
At 6’6”, he’s a commanding figure and at 25 years of age still has room for improvement. A ball playing keeper with superb distribution skills, but also prone to dropping a clanger. Muric will keep the Ipswich fans on the edge of their seats, and he’s sure to make plenty of Premier League 2024 highlights, maybe good and maybe bad.
Ipswich’s transfer dealings show plenty of intent, but they have, so far, erred on the young side in their attempt to stay up.
They have paid £18 million for 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder Omari Hutchinson, who impressed on loan at Portman Road last season. He quickly established himself as a fan-favourite with his attacking mentality, and he scored 10 goals in 44 appearances, persuading McKenna to make his move permanent this summer.
In defence, Ipswich have brought in 23-year-old centre-back Jacob Greaves from Hull City. The 6’4” defender has been a mainstay at the heart of the Tigers’ defence, making 172 appearances over the past five seasons and three times winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
Greaves cost £15 million, and Ipswich have spent another £20 million on a striker, Manchester City’s Liam Delap.
The 21-year-old has been on loan previously at three Championship clubs Stoke City, Preston North End, and Hull City, scoring 12 goals in 68 appearances.
So far, McKenna has brought in promise, but none of his new recruits, a keeper, a defender, a midfielder, and a striker, have much Premier League experience to speak of, and the English top-flight is brutal.
Perennial strugglers Everton have England keeper Jordan Pickford in the goals, and another of the teams Ipswich may target, Crystal Palace, have their share of England players too.
If anything, it’s going to be an exciting 12 months for the Tractor Boys. There are more club reviews on the way here at SBOTOP, including Chelsea and Liverpool over the next couple of days.
The big guns have rather different aspirations than Ipswich, but they can’t necessarily guarantee a more thrilling ride for their fans.
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