Ipswich Town’s season has been quite the roller coaster for fans.
Despite being early relegation candidates, Kieran McKenna’s squad has played far better than expected. They currently sit in the drop zone, but safety is just three points away. With January reinforcements and Liam Delap’s impressive form, survival is still a real possibility.
However, Ipswich’s chances might have been even stronger had they secured one of their past transfer targets, who is now outscoring Delap.
Delap’s Impact This Season
After their surprise promotion last season, Ipswich needed attacking reinforcements to bolster their Premier League hopes. They splashed £20m on Manchester City prospect Liam Delap, who had an eight-goal, two-assist season with Hull City in the Championship.
The gamble has paid off. In just 25 games, Delap has scored nine goals and provided two assists, averaging one goal involvement every 164 minutes. Beyond his numbers, Delap’s hold-up play, link-up ability, and off-the-ball movement make him an integral part of McKenna’s side.
Yet, despite his success, another Premier League star Ipswich once pursued has eclipsed Delap’s goal tally.
The One That Got Away
Morgan Rogers, now one of the Premier League’s brightest talents, was close to joining Ipswich before signing with Middlesbrough in 2023. McKenna even admitted Ipswich were “there or thereabouts” to sealing the deal.
Rogers later moved to Aston Villa for £16m, and his form has been exceptional. In 33 appearances across all competitions this season, Rogers has scored 11 goals and provided six assists—a tally that justifies his £67m valuation by CIES Football Observatory.
What Could Have Been
While Ipswich have their star in Delap, it’s hard not to imagine how much safer their Premier League status would be if they had also landed Rogers. Together, they could have made Ipswich a force to be reckoned with.
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