Ipswich Town will be keen to strengthen areas of weakness this summer following promotion to the Premier League, as Kieran McKenna begins to draw up his shortlist ahead of a hugely important summer window.
For the third time in four years, Ipswich have secured promotion, and for the second time in three years, it’s to the Premier League, with head coach McKenna being lauded for his performance from the dugout at Portman Road.
The Northern Irishman has done a truly wonderful job since taking charge in Suffolk, and this latest achievement is just another indictment of his ability as a head coach.
Ipswich were relegated from the top-flight at the first time of asking last time out, but look to be better-placed to have a real go at survival this time around, albeit an array of upgrades will be required.
One position that could possibly be due some attention is the goalkeeping area, as the Tractor Boys should look to reunite with a highly-experienced England international this summer.
Ipswich Town should target the return of Newcastle United’s Nick Pope this summer
Newcastle United shot-stopper and England international Nick Pope hasn’t had the greatest of seasons, but at St James’ Park, though the 34-year-old’s ability cannot be doubted.
Pope started his career with Ipswich, being a season ticket holder in his youth, but was released by the club at 16, and subsequently embarked on a long and unconventional journey to get to where he is now.
He’d be picked up by Charlton Athletic in 2011, and would head out on eight separate loan spells, including the likes of York City and Bury, before Sean Dyche’s Burnley brought him to Turf Moor in 2016, where he would initially deputise to Tom Heaton, but quickly cemented himself as first-choice in the top flight after Heaton picked up an injury.
Newcastle came calling in the summer of 2022 following Burnley’s relegation, and made the move to Tyneside for around £10 million, where he has helped the Magpies to a first major trophy in 56 years, as well as playing in the Champions League for Eddie Howe’s side.
However, he has had a difficult campaign this time around, with errors creeping into his game, as his game time has been balanced alongside Aaron Ramsdale, though neither has been able to nail down a starting berth this season.
At 34, his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, but with Newcastle linked with moves for Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, Manchester City’s James Trafford, and Werder Bremen’s Mio Backhaus, it would appear as though his time between the sticks for Newcastle is soon to be over.
The Magpies could allow him to leave on the cheap this summer, and Ipswich should be looking to take advantage of this and plan an emotional return.
Likewise with Newcastle, Ipswich have also struggled between the sticks this campaign, with Alex Palmer losing his position to Christian Walton midway through the season, and whilst Walton has impressed, whether he is capable of making the jump to the Premier League remains to be seen.
Goalkeeper could well be an area that McKenna has earmarked for improvement this summer, and though Pope hasn’t had the greatest of years, his ability is undeniable, and with the ten-capped England international having a strong affinity for the club, an emotional return to Portman Road ought to be on the cards over the coming months.
With just shy of 250 Premier League appearances to his name, Pope will be keen to reach that landmark, and to do so with his boyhood club would be rather poetic, as McKenna should consider a cut-price swoop this summer.
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Having fallen to a dismal relegation last time out in the Premier League, McKenna will be eager to establish Ipswich in the top flight next year, but will be aware that the summer window needs to be spot on if they are to stand a chance.
Goalkeeper was a clear area of weakness last time around in the top flight, with Arijanet Muric having initially been signed to be the club’s new number one, but the Kosovan was replaced by the incoming Alex Palmer from West Brom in January.
A solid pair of hands can be the difference in the Premier League, especially in games with fine margins, and Ipswich must ensure they have that heading into the next campaign.
Pope could be exactly that, as if he can cut out the mistakes that have recently crept into his game; he could be the difference between relegation and survival for Ipswich, who should be plotting a move for his signature.