Ipswich Town: What positions do the Blues need to strengthen next?

Supporters are delighted by the business so far, but football moves quickly and the Blues realistically need another six to nine signings before the window slams shut on September 2nd.

Who's next, and what positions should they be prioritising in the coming weeks? Alex Jones takes a look.

Vaclav Hladky has left Ipswich after failing to agree a new contract (Image: PA)

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper department at Ipswich looked well stocked as recently as two weeks ago. Now, Vaclav Hladky has departed while Cieran Slicker has voiced his desire to leave on loan. Christian Walton hasn’t played a league game in over a year, so it remains to be seen what he wants to do this summer.

That leaves Town needing at least one goalkeeper, including a new first-choice option. It’ll have to go straight to the top of the club’s shopping list, given that they need someone to play 38 matches next season. Given Kieran McKenna’s preferred style of play, that won’t be easy.

Not only do they need a good shot-stopper, but they need someone who’s good with the ball at his feet and able to distribute it quickly and accurately. Those are all desirable traits for top-level goalkeepers these days, so it might not be easy to find an option that fits their budget.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carl Rushworth, who spent last season on loan at Swansea City, has been consistently linked, while Fenerbahce’s Dominik Livakovic is another name that Ipswich have reportedly looked at. The former’s age and overall profile fits what the Blues would want, but it remains to be seen who else they’ve got on their shortlist.

This one could be the number one priority heading into the first pre-season friendly games.

Cameron Burgess is the only left-footed centre-back in the first-team squad (Image: PA)

Left centre-back

Ipswich have been linked with a lot of centre-backs recently, but it’s important to narrow it down. On the right, they have Luke Woolfenden and Axel Tuanzebe, while Ben Johnson can cover that position if needed. On the left, Cameron Burgess is the only option aside from George Edmundson, who’s comfortable on both sides.

With that in mind, adding another right-sided centre-back doesn’t make sense, which is why links to Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon (now of Leeds United) were confusing. Town need depth on the other side – a strong, left-footed centre-back who can compete with Burgess and complete their defensive unit.

Once again, there have been a few links with this position. Hull City’s Jacob Greaves is a man in demand, but Ipswich seem reluctant to push above the £10 million mark. Fenerbahce’s Jayden Oosterwolde is another name that’s been linked, although there’s a fair bit of competition for him. There will be others, too.

With Tuanzebe and Woolfenden stronger on the technical side, Ipswich could probably do with a big physical presence on the left, like Burgess. However, it still needs to be someone who’s good with the ball at their feet to help when playing out from the back.

Town may look to sign a new midfield partner for Sam Morsy (Image: PA)

Central midfielder

The ruthless nature of football means that clubs need to constantly look for upgrades. Massimo Luongo will undoubtedly have a part to play next season, as will Jack Taylor, but Ipswich will probably look to sign a new partner for Sam Morsy.

The Blues have good options here, but they aren’t blessed with real depth. Lewis Travis was brought in to cover the skipper last season, but he’s since returned to parent club Blackburn Rovers. Dom Ball has left on a free transfer, meaning that it’s really just those three players who can cover two midfield spots.

With that in mind, Town probably need a couple of midfielders, one to play alongside Morsy and one to come in for him when required. With this, the Egyptian will likely be asked to sit deep and shield the back line, allowing his partner to push higher up.

Lewis O’Brien’s name came up earlier in the window, but he’s probably not someone who’ll make the switch to Portman Road. Coventry City's Ben Sheaf would be a fantastic addition, albeit that the Sky Blues would surely hold out for a significant fee.

What about former Blue Flynn Downes? There's a good chance that he heads back to Southampton after his loan spell at St. Mary's last season, but it sounds like Ipswich are in that conversation as well.

It probably isn’t as urgent as the other positions, but certainly comes towards the top end of the list.

George Hirst returned from a hamstring injury at the end of last season (Image: PA)

Striker

Aside from a goalkeeper, a new striker should be Ipswich’s top priority. Should Freddie Ladapo depart as expected, the Blues will have George Hirst and Ali Al-Hamadi as their two options to leave the line.

Al-Hamadi is probably a candidate to leave on loan, with newly-promoted Championship outfit Oxford United reportedly keen on signing him. That being said, he’ll want to stick around to become the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, but probably knows that regular game time is best for his career. He’s yet to have that above League Two level.

That would leave Hirst as the only option, and while he’s someone who seems ready-made to make the step-up to the top flight, he needs competition. Realistically, Town will probably need two forwards to come in, one with top-level pedigree.

Fotis Ioannidis has been the standout link so far, with the Blues reportedly launching unsuccessful bids north of £20 million for the in-demand Greek international.

Villarreal's Ben Brereton Diaz, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, is another player that Town are reportedly keen on. The 25-year-old can play up top and on the left, offering versatility that McKenna loves.

If the club are going to break their transfer record once again this summer, you’d have to imagine that it’d be on a striker.