Kalvin Phillips has had five different injury setbacks during his stop-start season on loan at Ipswich Town. (Image: PA.) Kalvin Phillips Story before joining: The 31-cap England international, who joined Manchester City for £45 million two years ago, was last summer’s biggest name signing. He had a lot of interest, but he eventually decided that Ipswich was the best place for him to regain fitness and confidence following a few frustrating years at the Etihad.

That made a lot of sense. There was a positive vibe at the Blues that he had felt when coming up to the Premier League with Leeds in the past. There would be a less harsh spotlight than at a more examined football team (like at West Ham). His best friend, Leif Davis, was on Portman Road. And he’d be working under Kieran McKenna, a manager with a strong reputation for player development. The tale of the borrowing spell: Unfortunately, the 29-year-old has never been able to establish a rhythm. There have been five separate injury setbacks: thigh, ankle, calf, foot, and Achilles. Since his controversial dismissal in the home game against Leicester early last November he has started just seven Premier League games in fits and starts.

Where would the Blues be had they been able to call upon the Euro 2020 star regularly? We’ll never know. Sadly, we’ve only seen tantalising glimpses of his experience, physicality and passing range over a stop start season.

Contract: He still has three years left on his reputed £150,000-per-week six-year agreement with City, which he signed in 2022. Where will we go from here? He’s not going to be in Pep Guardiola’s plans as Man City attempt to reclaim their title, and he’s not going to walk away from a lucrative contract there, so another loan term is inevitable. The injury record this season indicates that there will be fewer suitors this summer than there were last. The natural choice would be to return to Leeds, where he was adored following their promotion to the Premier League. The Yorkshire club might just feel there’s no space for sentiment though as they attempt to reverse the tendency of newly-promoted clubs dropping straight back down.

 

If the aforementioned is true, could a return to Ipswich on loan in the Championship be an option? ‘Highly unlikely’ would be my conclusion. Even if he was willing, the club would struggle to justify allocating a significant portion of its resources that way. If it isn’t Leeds, I might envisage a loan stint abroad.

Jens Cajuste has been one of Ipswich Town’s best players while on loan from Napoli. (Image: PA.) Jens Cajuste Before joining, Napoli had just been crowned Serie A champions when Cajuste arrived from French club Reims for a record €12 million, but a disastrous follow-up season saw them fire three managers and finish tenth. Antonio Conte was appointed, and Cajuste was considered surplus to needs. Brentford cancelled a loan deal at the medical stage, prompting Ipswich to take advantage. The first half of the season was spent strengthening the midfielder’s strength while carefully managing a knee injury. It wasn’t until mid-March that he completed the entire 90 minutes.

He improved throughout time, to the point where he is now considered a contender for Player of the Year. He’s mobile, combative, and extremely fluid on the ball. His smooth move and curling finish in a 4-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest in mid-March rounded out an outstanding individual performance. Contract: He still has three years remaining on the five-year deal he signed with Napoli in 2023. What’s been said: The laid-back Swede says living in Suffolk’suits me like a hand in a glove’ and that it’s a ‘wait and see’ for what comes next. McKenna recently stated: “Would we like to keep Jens? I think it would be obvious. He’s been one of the top performers. He’s a player that we like a lot, but he’s a Napoli player. Any conversations won’t take place until the end of the season.”

What happens next? As much as I’d like to see him back, I have no doubt that other high-tier clubs will be fighting for Cajuste’s services if Napoli (now top of the league) let him go again. Several ambitious mid-table Premier League clubs should be interested. Having already played in Denmark, France, Italy and England, I wonder if the 25-year-old will enjoy a taste of life in Spain or Germany next.

Julio Enciso has gotten Town fans out of their seats since coming from Brighton in January. (Image: PA.) Julio Enciso Story before signing: Versatile Paraguayan forward joined Brighton from Libertad in a projected £9.5 million transfer in the summer of 2022. In his debut Premier League season, he scored eye-catching goals against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City, then missed six months due to injury before joining the squad in January of this year. He claimed he came to Ipswich “for an opportunity to prove himself.” The story of the loan spell: His eagerness to impress was evident from the start, as he nearly kicked Wataru Endo’s head off within seconds of going on at Liverpool. A livewire full debut in the home defeat against Southampton followed. The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury set-back at Aston Villa, leaving the field in tears, and continued to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Street footballer, used as an inside left forward and second striker, has wowed spectators with his direct dribbling, wiry strength, and passionate demeanour. Some of his defensive work in his own third has been frustrating, but his X-Factor attacking skill and enthusiasm are apparent. Two goals (including a twisting 30-yard beauty at Everton) and three assists are a decent return for 12 games in a losing team. Contract: He is now entering the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium. What’s being said: Ipswich manager McKenna said: “He’s made a tremendous impact for us, and we would have liked to have had him a little earlier. There’s no option to keep him. He’s a big, big talent and he’s a Brighton player come the summer.”

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said: “He’s doing well so far, and we’re pleased with his progress at Ipswich.” “We all know he can achieve incredible things in the game. He can win the game with a single move. For me, it is equally vital how he behaves as a team member. How he defends as a team member. “We have received some positive feedback.” What happens next? Seagulls will either convince Enciso to sign a new deal or cash in. According to sources, if the latter is the case, a price of £25 million will be required. As a Championship team, Ipswich is unlikely to be willing to pay that much (which would set a new club record).

BEN GODFREY

Story before signing: The former Norwich and Everton defender had more than 100 Premier League appearances and two England caps to his name when he joined Europa League winners Atalanta for a reported £11m fee last summer. He barely played for the Italian club in the first half of this season though.

Tale of the loan spell: It was hard to see where the 27-year-old fitted into the equation when he arrived on January 5 and that has proved to be the case.

Endured a difficult league debut in a 6-0 home thrashing to Man City, with the visitors’ main threat coming down his side, looked rusty in the FA Cup win at Coventry and then got subbed at half-time of the 4-1 home loss to Tottenham after being given the run around by Son Heung-min.

Wasn’t in the matchday squad for two months after that. Injuries/suspensions have seen him return to the picture in recent weeks, but Dara O’Shea being preferred at right-back in the absence of Axel Tuanzebe and Ben Johnson speaks volumes.

Contract: Not stated.

“Coming to a new club in January and getting up to speed in the toughest league in the world is really difficult,” McKenna said recently when questioned about Godfrey. After joining, Godfrey stated, “Playing time is extremely essential to me as a person. I’m looking forward to competing for three points. That’s what I believe I was created for.” What happens next? It’s evident that Godfrey’s future isn’t with Atlanta or Ipswich. It will be interesting to see where he gets a fresh start. Spurs, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves were all linked in January. Will a Premier League team consider his CV rather than this season? We will see.