Ipswich Town: Assessing the Blues 16 Premier League signings.

Following their promotion to the Premier League last year, Ipswich Town made 16 acquisitions. Alex Jones evaluates if they were successful or unsuccessful this season.

Town’s record-breaking acquisition is still Omari Hutchinson. (Photo: Ross Halls)

Hutchinson, Omari

Date of signature: June 30, 2024

(Chelsea) Transfer fee: £22 million

Town shattered their transfer record by spending a fortune to bring Omari Hutchinson to Portman Road on a permanent contract following a successful season on loan in the Championship, which was his first complete season of senior football.

Although his three goals and two assists are less than most would have predicted, he has improved as a player since moving up to the Premier League.

Conclusion: There have been more than enough encouraging indicators, and there should be many more to come, despite the high cost and a rocky beginning. Strike.

After a difficult beginning to life in Suffolk, Ben Johnson has improved (Photo: Ross Halls).

Ben Johnson

Date of signature: July 1, 2024

Free transfer fee (West Ham)

Ben Johnson was in and out of Town’s squad early in the season, despite being brought in as the starting right-back. He struggled to impress when given starting opportunities.

At the end of 2024, he was able to start because something clicked. He has shown himself in a more senior capacity in the past several weeks.

Conclusion: Although he had some ups and downs in his first move away from his boyhood club, he has shown himself and appears to be a great value for a free transfer. Strike.

Last summer, Jacob Greaves was connected to well-known Premier League teams (Photo: Ross Halls).

Greaves, Jacob

Date of signature: July 12, 2024

£15 million is the transfer fee (Hull City)

Jacob Greaves was one of the best players in his position in the Championship the previous season, and Town beat off a few other teams to sign him as their starting left-sided centre-back.

A hamstring problem derailed a fantastic start. After struggling with form in the months that followed, he now appears to be back to his best, playing some outstanding left-back.

Conclusion: He has looked excellent for the majority of the season, despite the occasional setback following his injury. high hopes for the upcoming season. Strike.

According to Ross Halls, Liam Delap is expected to depart Portman Road this summer.

Delap, Liam

Date of signature: July 13, 2024

£10 million is the transfer fee (Manchester City).

After a few rather quiet Championship loan stints, Liam Delap was signed, and he has been playing brilliantly ever since. In the first part of the season, he was blazing hot, but after that, he kind of cooled off.

However, for a 22-year-old in his debut season at the level with a recently promoted team, 12 goals and two assists is an incredible performance. The only English players to score more than him this season are Cole Palmer (15) and Ollie Watkins (16).

Conclusion: The best recruitment you’ll ever witness. He possesses the skills necessary to excel in the game. Strike.

This season, Town has lost important points due to Arijanet Muric’s individual mistakes (Photo: Ross Halls).

Muric, Arijanet

Date of signature: July 17, 2024

Transfer charge: £8 million (Burnley)

Burnley supporters were disgruntled when Aro Muric, who had begun against Burnley before being benched for James Trafford, was sold for £8 million to become Town’s starting custodian.

However, his tenure in Suffolk has been dominated by individual mistakes that have lost his team a lot of points, with the exception of a few man-of-the-match performances.

Conclusion: In my opinion, the Blues made more mistakes with this signing than any other. If they had a more secure pair of hands in goal, who knows where they would be? Miss.

It has required patience on the part of Conor Townsend. (Photo: Ross Halls)

Townsend, Conor

Date of signature: August 1, 2024

£750k is the transfer fee (West Brom).

Conor Townsend was brought in to help Leif Davis, who was always going to start when fit, after leaving West Brom for a steal following six years at the Hawthorns.

In addition to his extraordinary patience, he has performed so well when given the chance that supporters have demanded he be the starting quarterback.

Conclusion: For a player who came with such little fanfare, he has accomplished more than anyone could have imagined. Strike.

Sammie Szmodics has shown that he’s capable of playing in the Premier League (Image: Ross Halls)

Sammie Szmodics

Date signed: 16th August 2024

Transfer fee: £9m (Blackburn Rovers)

Blackburn Rovers played hard ball, but eventually had to let Sammie Szmodics leave to head back down south.

After ripping the Championship to shreds, he’s proved that he can do it in the Premier League too. It’s a real shame that he’s been ruled him out for most of the second half of the season.

Verdict: Injuries have cost him, but he’s shown his worth and should be one of the top players in the second tier next season.  Strike.

Kalvin Phillips hasn’t been at his best this season (Image: Ross Halls)

Kalvin Phillips

Date signed: 16th August 2024

Transfer fee: Loan (Manchester City)

The marquee signing of the summer and the biggest name that Ipswich brought in, Kalvin Phillips was expected to take Ipswich’s midfield to the next level.

However, he looked rusty when he came in, and just as he started to find his feet, injuries crept back in. He started just 14 league games this season.

Verdict: A real shame, but this one just hasn’t worked. Given the wages that Ipswich will be paying here, it can only be seen in one way.  Miss.

Jens Cajuste has arguably been Ipswich’s top performer in 2025  (Image: Ross Halls)

Jens Cajuste

Date signed: 19th August 2024

Transfer fee: Loan (Napoli)

Brought in on loan from Napoli, with reports of an obligation to buy if Town avoided relegation, Jens Cajuste needed a bit of time to adjust to Premier League football.

When he did, however, he showed his quality. Fitness issues haven’t helped him, but he’s been one of Ipswich’s top performers in a season of disappointment.

Verdict: Came in and had the impact that fans hoped Kalvin Phillips would have. A top-end bit of recruitment.  Hit.

Jack Clarke has had to adapt to a new role under Kieran McKenna  (Image: Ross Halls)

Jack Clarke

Date signed: 24th August 2024

Transfer fee: £15m (Sunderland)

With a move for Jaden Philogene collapsing, Town made a move for Jack Clarke, leaving Sunderland fans furious by agreeing a £15m deal to sign him.

But the left winger has found limited opportunities at Portman Road, initially struggling with a different role in a new system. He’s grown into life in Suffolk and should be ready to kick on back in the Championship.

Verdict: Probably more positives than negatives, especially in the last few weeks. Hopefully he’ll show what he’s capable week in, week out next season.  Hit – just.

Dara O’Shea has been remarkably consistent this season (Image: Ross Halls)

Dara O’Shea

Date signed: 25th August 2024

Transfer fee: £12m (Burnley)

Town added another member of Burnley’s back line ahead of the summer deadline. This one turned out much better.

Eventually coming into the starting lineup for Luke Woolfenden, O’Shea has probably been Ipswich’s most consistent player this season, excelling at centre-back and right-back.

Verdict: Three relegations on his CV isn’t ideal, but he’s a Premier League player and has shown that this season.  Hit.

Chiedozie Ogbene has been out since October with an Achilles injury  (Image: Ross Halls)

Chiedozie Ogbene

Date signed: 28th August 2024

Transfer fee: £8m (Luton Town)

It felt like Ipswich were well-stocked in attacking players, but pushed hard to bring in Chiedozie Ogbene from Luton Town. Kieran McKenna showed he had a plan for him, and we saw brief glimpses of that at the very start of the season.

Unfortunately, an Achilles injury away at Brentford curtailed his campaign in October.

Verdict: It’s not his or anyone’s fault, but it’s obviously a signing that hasn’t worked out this season. Hopefully 2025/26 will be better.  Miss.

Ben Godfrey has struggled to help the Blues since arriving on loan in January (Image: Ross Halls)

Ben Godfrey

Date signed: 5th January 2025

Transfer fee: Loan (Atalanta)

Signed to cover Axel Tuanzebe during his injury, Ben Godfrey was added on loan from Atalanta, having hardly kicked a ball in Bergamo.

In the end, he was thrown in at the deep end against tough opponents and ended up sinking instead of swimming. Tuanzebe returned from injury sooner than expected, leaving opportunities incredibly limited.

Verdict: A bizarre loan signing that hasn’t worked out for anyone involved.  Miss.

Jaden Philogene is currently sidelined with an MCL injury (Image: Ross Halls)

Jaden Philogene

Date signed: 15th January 2025

Transfer fee: £20m

Having failed to sign him in the summer, Ipswich approached Aston Villa to sign Philogene in the January transfer window, with Unai Emery’s side needing finances to balance their FFP situation.

He looked a bit behind the pace at first, with question marks about his off-ball work, and Wes Burns’ injury forcing him out on the right flank. A brace at Old Trafford will be the highlight of his campaign, which was ended with a knock at Chelsea.

Verdict: If he signed in the summer, this could have been different. Like many others, there’s plenty of promise for next season, but this one hasn’t worked out for the money Town paid.  Miss.

Julio Enciso signed on loan from Brighton in January (Image: Ross Halls)

Julio Enciso

Date signed: 23rd January 2025

Transfer fee: Loan (Brighton)

Having fallen out of favour with Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton were happy to let Julio Enciso leave on loan, with Ipswich winning the race to sign him after developing Jeremy Sarmiento in the second half of last season.

He’s shown flashes of top-level quality, despite some frustrating traits and a brief injury lay-off, but it hasn’t been enough to get the Blues out of the bottom three.

Verdict: We’ve seen a bit of everything from him, both good and bad. He’s clearly a real talent and will go on to do big things, wherever he ends up.  Hit.

Alex Palmer has been Ipswich’s primary custodian in the latter half of the season (Image: Ross Halls).

Alex Palmer

Date signed: February 3, 2025.

Transfer fee: £2 million (West Brom).

With Muric in poor form and Christian Walton out injured, Town decided to act late in the winter transfer window on deadline day to sign West Brom’s Alex Palmer as a custodian.

He’s been consistent and dependable in his early days in Suffolk, despite the occasional blip as he moves up from the Championship in his first permanent move away from West Brom.

Verdict: Ipswich should have made this signing last summer. Should be one of the best goalkeepers in the second tier, as he has been in recent years. Hit.

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