Ipswich Town column: Joey Sadler ranks every Blues summer signing and Town’s transfer window

A big summer. An expensive one. But how have Ipswich Town really fared this transfer window?

For what it’s worth, here’s my take: The class of 2022/23 and 2023/24 gave us memories to last a lifetime. They’ll never be forgotten. But I think we would all agree that Town were going to need reinforcements going into this campaign.

Before the window opened, I said we need around 10 or 11 additions to make us stronger. We’ve ended on 12. Most gaps have been filled, but one key position remains.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Omari Hutchinson

Starting with Town’s first summer signing, Omari Hutchinson. The return of the starboy and in my opinion, the best loanee Ipswich Town have ever had. £18 million turned loan into permanence and this signing set the tone for what was about to come this summer. For me, this is a fantastic piece of business. Omari, in his first year in professional football, lit up the second tier towards the back-end of it and is a player with not just bags of potential, but bags of ability. Business wise - it’s a smart move. If Town do fall short this year, and perhaps then need to sell, Omari at his age is likely to recoup the money spent on him, or if he has a good season, double it. It’s a 9/10. Superb.

Ben Johnson

Up next was the arrival of right back Ben Johnson, who joined as a free agent after leaving West Ham. We need as much Premier League experience as we can get this season - and Ben brings that in abundance. At 24, he’s still young and it ticks a lot of the right boxes. Ben has started slow, but will only get better. Don’t underestimate his importance on and off the pitch this season. I’m giving it a 7/10.

Jacob Greaves

Next to arrive was central defender Jacob Greaves. Hull wanted big bucks, but Town managed to get him for an absolute steal. £15 million was agreed and Jacob was ours. In my view, this is one of the most eye-catching pieces of business in the window. Jacob was excellent in the Championship last year and early signs suggest he’s going to be more than fine at this level too. Other clubs were sniffing around but Portman Road was chosen and I genuinely believe we have a future England international on our hands. £15 million is an absolute sniff. If Town go down, then they will either have one of the best defenders in the league, or I’d imagine, more than double their investment. It’s another 9/10.

Liam Delap

Liam Delap followed next. The young striker has had a mixed bag in terms of loans in his career. But his best one came at Hull City last year, where he clearly caught the eye of Kieran McKenna. Town boss described Liam as ‘one of the best and most aggressive runners in the league’ and I always thought once he had said that, we’d probably want to sign him. But at £20 million, for an unexperienced and unproven striker - I’m not sure. Liam has impressed in his first two appearances and why would we not trust McKenna? But I remain a little unsure on this and also the fact that if Liam does set the world on fire - then Manchester City can just buy him back anyway!

But that was written before his performance against Fulham. Liam looks top-drawer and has adapted to Premier League level brilliantly. Let’s hope it continues. 7/10.

Aro Muric

The fifth summer signing was goalkeeper Aro Muric for £8 million. The Kosovan joined after a decent stint towards the back-end of last season for Burnley, which did ultimately end in relegation for them. Aro is a modern-day goalkeeper. Good with his feet but his confidence worries me - and he didn’t have the brightest of debuts. I’m not sure. But I’m also not sure what sort of goalkeeper we could have got. Aro is the right age and McKenna has worked with him before. It ticks boxes and working under this management team, we should be confident that Aro can turn into a star - given the renaissance of Vaclav Hladky last season. 7/10. Let’s see with this one.

Conor Townsend

Left-back Conor Townsend was next, after a few slow weeks in terms of transfer activity at the time. Not one I saw coming. Not one I would’ve gone for. Not one which set the world on fire. But Leif is clearly going to play every single game this season and any left-back coming in would’ve known that. Conor brings experience, leadership and good competition. I don’t mind it. 7/10.

Sammie Szmodics

After Conor, another few weeks followed with little action. Until one wild Thursday saw us seemingly linked with… well, everyone. The Sammie Szmodics drama was finally brought to an end. Rovers got their price and Town got their man. I’m really excited about this one. I’ve always like Sammie Szmodics (even though he didn’t like us) and do you know what impressed me the most? His attitude - and the professionalism shown towards the last few weeks of his time at Blackburn. Sam smashed the Championship last year and is hungry to do the same at the higher level. I really like him. At 28, he’s older than the profile we’d usually go for but if he scores the goals and keeps us up, then £10 million will be worth every penny. Sammie Szmodics - it’s a 8/10.

Kalvin Phillips

Later that day, England international and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips joined the ranks. Crazy. I still can’t believe we’ve got him. We all know the story. He’s not what he used to be and has struggled since joining the Cityzens. But as we all know here - Town have one of the best young managers in the country, who we should all believe can get the best out of him. If it works. Then Kalvin’s form could be the difference between Town staying up or not. If it doesn’t however, then I’m not sure where that leaves us, or him, for that matter. I’ll go 8/10.

Jens Cajuste

Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste was next and Town’s midfield was made more than complete. At the time, I wasn’t sure we necessarily needed Jens given Kalvin had signed earlier - but again it’s a player McKenna clearly admires. I like it. He’s brings something new to our midfield as well as a different level of experience. I don’t really know him though - so can’t comment too much. Stop sitting on the fence Joey you’ll say - but I’m going for a 7/10.

Jack Clarke

Up next was Sunderland starlet Jack Clarke. Now this one excites me. It is a top signing. The illusive ‘left-wing’ position was one Town had hunted down for a while. Jaden Philogene was close but never got there - and to everyone else, Jack Clarke always seemed the obvious choice. Finally that choice was made and I’m buzzing we’ve got him - and how on earth we’ve only had to part with £15 million to do so, is ridiculous. Jack will adapt to the level and I believe he’ll pick us up a few points this season. A great deal. A great signing. 9/10.

Chiedozie Ogbene

The penultimate signing of the window was Luton’s Chiedozie Ogbene. I was surprised by this one to be honest and wonder if Wes Burns’ injury is worse than initially feared. Our Welsh wizard plays that right-wing role so well. We don’t have anybody in the squad who can do it like him. So I can see the thinking behind Ogbene coming in to do that. A similar style to Burns with top flight experience. He had a good season for Luton last year and will better this one because of it. 8/10. This could be a bigger signing than people think.

Dara O’Shea

Finally, Town’s business was concluded with centre half Dara O’Shea walking in for £12 million. Another deal done with Burnley. I don’t know about this one. Dara struggled last year, in a Burnley team that shipped goals for fun - and we now have their goalkeeper and centre back in the ranks! It’d be wrong for me to tarnish them both with that brush, but for £12 million. I don’t know if I like it. I always believe it would be Woolfy and Greaves this campaign. With Cam Burgess and George Edmundson more than adequate cover. Clearly McKenna thinks differently and I can’t imagine O’Shea is being bought in to sit on the bench. Time will tell. But I’m going to give it a 6/10.

Overview

A frantic window. A crazy summer. Town’s spending came to over £100 million and still one position remains a need. A striker. On the whole, I’m going to give the overall window an 8 out 10.

There’s some excellent deals in there. But there’s also a lot of inexperience and unknown, so we’ll have to see wait and how it all unfolds.

Players in. Players out, and don’t forget Town haven’t sold any of their big hitters and also managed to keep one of the best managers in Europe, at the helm. 8/10 - now bring on the season!