Ipswich Town are preparing for their first Premier League season since 2002 with a squad light on top tier experience. Ross Halls takes a look at which current players have played in the top flight before...
BEN JOHNSON - 69 APPEARANCES
The defender has played the most games in the top tier as he came through West Ham's academy, making his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Man City in February 2019.
Johnson was never a regular for the Hammers but showed his versatility as he featured in multiple positions. He is also the only Town player in this list to have scored in the Premier League, having netted twice.
He now looks set to be Kieran McKenna's first choice right-back for the 2024/25 season.
AXEL TUANZEBE - 28 APPEARANCES
The defender came through the youth ranks at Manchester United, where he was handed his first start by José Mourinho in a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in May 2017.
Tuanzebe was unable to make breakthrough at Old Trafford, playing 19 top flight games for the Red Devils, before heading out on loan at Aston Villa and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.
He stayed at Villa Park for a further loan in the top tier, making nine appearances before he was recalled by United.
ARIJANET MURIC - TEN APPEARANCES
The goalkeeper played a key role in Burnley's title-winning Championship campaign of 2022/23, but found himself behind new signing James Trafford in the pecking order for much of last season.
Muric did, however, return to the starting XI for the last 10 games as Vincent Kompany's men failed to beat the drop.
He now looks set to be the new Blues' number one, having joined for an initial £8m fee, with the potential to rise to £10m following add-ons.
GEORGE HIRST - TWO APPEARANCES
The forward came off the bench twice for Leicester City in the Premier League, facing Tottenham and Manchester United in July 2020.
Hirst made no further appearances for the Foxes, and went on to have loan spells at Rotherham United, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and of course Ipswich.
He will look to lead the line for Town this season.
LEIF DAVIS - TWO APPEARANCES
The left-back was given two sub appearances in the Premier League for Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa.
Davis' first taste of top-flight action was against the two Manchester clubs, with the first being in a 1-1 draw with City in October 2020, before a 6-2 defeat at United three months later.
He will be a key player for McKenna's side, bombing down the left, in the coming season.
LIAM DELAP - TWO APPEARANCES
The forward scored on his senior debut for Man City in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in September 2020.
Three days later, with City’s squad ravaged by injuries and illness, Delap was handed his Premier League bow by Pep Guardiola, coming off the bench in the shock 5-2 home loss to Leicester City.
He would make a further appearance as a sub in the 4-0 win at Norwich City in February 2022 and will now look to make the step up with Ipswich in the top flight.
OMARI HUTCHINSON - ONE APPEARANCE
The attacker was handed his top flight debut for Chelsea by Graham Potter, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 home defeat to Man City in January 2023.
Hutchinson went on to join Ipswich on loan and enjoy a very successful first full season in senior football.
He signed for Ipswich permanently for a club record £18m fee this summer and looks ready to make the next step in his development.
FREDDIE LADAPO - ONE APPEARANCE
The forward went from playing non-league football with Margate to featuring in the Premier League for Crystal Palace in a space of a year.
Ladapo made just two appearances during his spell with the Eagles, with one being his debut in the big time when he came on as a 74th minute sub for Bakary Sako in a 4–0 defeat at Manchester United in October 2017.
Ladapo looks unlikely to add to that next season - he appears set for the exit door this summer.
NATHAN BROADHEAD - ONE APPEARANCE
The Welshman came through the Everton academy but only made two appearances during his time at Goodison Park.
Broadhead was handed his top flight debut by manager Carlo Ancelotti when he came on as a 88th minute sub for Tom Davies in a goalless draw at Brighton in April 2021.
He never made a grade with the Toffees but went on to have spells at Sunderland and Wigan, before helping the Blues to back-to-back promotions.
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