Ipswich Town may be looking for a left-back this summer - but not to start. Leif Davis is the clear first-choice in that position, but the Blues are lacking a like-for-like replacement if he's ever unavailable.
Alex Jones picks out seven potential targets...
Brandon Williams
Starting off with a free agent who spent last season at Ipswich, Brandon Williams is looking for a new club after being released by Manchester United.
There’s a lot to like about the prospect of bringing him back. He’s played in the Premier League for the Red Devils and for Norwich City while also showing his quality for Town in the early stages of his stint in Suffolk. He’s versatile, so could also cover at right-back if required, and obviously knows Kieran McKenna well.
There are obvious off-field concerns that would need to be ironed out quickly, but this would likely be Williams’ only shot at staying in the Premier League and if he wants to prove that he’s capable of playing at this level, the Blues wouldn’t be risking much by signing him on a free transfer.
Perhaps drawing a line under it and moving on would be best for both parties, but you can never say never.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas was once considered the next big thing. He represented England at every level from under-18 to under-21, having played almost 60 Premier League games for Leicester City across four seasons.
He found it harder last season, struggling out on loan at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough. He’s now back at the King Power Stadium, where new boss Steve Cooper will surely give him a chance, but it may be easier said than done.
Wout Faes spent a lot of time at left-back under Enzo Maresca last season while James Justin is back at full fitness and Victor Kristiansen is back from his loan spell at Bologna. That could open the door for the Foxes to cash in on him, given their current financial issues.
At 23, there’s plenty of room for McKenna to develop him, and he has more than enough experience to step in for Davis when required. He’s attack-minded and direct, making him a suitable like-for-like alternative.
Harry Pickering
Harry Pickering is Blackburn Rovers’ Mr. Versatile. A natural left-back, he spent much of last season playing as a wing-back in a back five while also covering at centre-back and in midfield. He hasn’t looked out of place at all.
His attacking output isn’t incredible, with just one goal and one assist last season. That being said, he’s been one of Rovers’ consistent performers and a talent that they’d clearly like to keep.
Interest from Ipswich would surely turn his head, however, even if he isn’t guaranteed lots of game time. The fact that he can cover a few different positions would help, and at 25, he’s still within that ideal age range for a Town player.
It’d surely be a dream for him to go from playing League Two football with Crewe Alexandra to making his Premier League debut in the space of just four years, and he’d probably come at a fairly low fee.
Josh Tymon
Josh Tymon is another full-back who’s impressed in the Championship, but his background is different to that of Pickering. He came through at Hull City before joining Stoke City in 2017, spending time out on loan at MK Dons and Portuguese side Famalicao before making the move to Swansea City in 2023.
He’s much more attack-minded than many players in his position, ending last season with six assists in a struggling Swans side. He’s also represented England from under-17’s to under-20’s, having featured for Hull and Stoke in the Premier League earlier in his career.
Now 25, he’s certainly someone who’s ready for the next step in his career. He can learn from Davis and be developed under McKenna while not needing to play week in, week out. He’s someone who’d probably be happy to remain as a back-up.
He’d also be an affordable option, allowing Ipswich to invest the bulk of their budget elsewhere.
Yasser Larouci
Yasser Larouci really just wants to play football. He didn’t get the opportunity to do that at Liverpool, having joined back in 2017, forcing him to leave the club four years later. He signed for ESTAC Troyes, impressing for the Ligue 1 club ahead of his return to the Premier League.
That comeback came at Sheffield United, who he joined on loan at the start of last season. He struggled to get into their team ahead of the likes of Auston Trusty and Ben Osborn, however, leaving him with just six starts and five cameo appearances in the league.
Now back in France, Larouci is looking for another fresh start and may find that at a club like Ipswich. He’s still only 23 and will have ambitions to reach the top of the game, having come through an elite academy and played more than 500 minutes of Premier League football.
Would he demand more game time than Town could offer? Perhaps, but he certainly fits the bill.
Josh Doig
Josh Doig’s career to date is a little more obscure, having started at Hearts’ academy before controversially switching to Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, where he made his senior debut. He was sold to Hellas Verona in 2022 for a reported £3 million fee, making 34 Serie A appearances for them over one-and-a-half seasons.
Gennaro Gattuso was keen to sign him for Marseille back in January, but he ended joining Sassuolo, which is probably a move that he regrets. The Neroverdi finished in 19th place and were subsequently relegated to Serie B, with numerous exits expected before the start of the upcoming campaign.
This move may be easier said than done. Sassuolo, who paid a reported €6 million for him, will be looking to gain some profit in the knowledge that Hellas Verona have a 10% sell-on clause.
Nonetheless, he’s only 22, has experience in a top-five league and is incredibly attack-minded, often playing as a wing-back in a back five.
Ryan Sessegnon
The only name on the list that Ipswich have been linked with, I’ve written about Ryan Sessegnon in the past. A player who made a £25 million move from Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur as recently as 2019, his career has stalled due to injuries and he’s now a free agent.
The 24-year-old has more than enough time to bounce back. He showed incredible quality during his spell with the Cottagers, often playing as a left winger, but Spurs developed him into a more defensive player, although he still has the attacking traits that would see him become a like-for-like alternative to Davis.
Being able to play in both left-sided positions is a huge plus, but the competition for him is fierce. Crystal Palace have had him on trial this summer, but it remains to be seen whether Oliver Glasner pursues a deal for him.
If he doesn’t join the Eagles, Ipswich would need to act fast. McKenna would surely be able to help him turn his career around, even if he has to be eased back into regular competitive football.
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