“Ipswich Town: 4 Players who deserve WAY more Premier League minutes. You won’t believe player No 2
Ipswich Town have nine Premier League matches left, starting with a trip to AFC Bournemouth next week. Alex Jones argues that four players deserve more playing time between now and the end of the season.
Cameron Burgess
Cameron Burgess has been a consistent presence for Ipswich, with few poor performances to his name this season.
Against top-tier opposition, the team may have struggled, but Burgess rarely makes mistakes. His standout moments—crucial tackles, goal-line clearances, and countless headers—speak for themselves.
Despite his solid performances, he’s only appeared 11 times in the Premier League this season, largely due to Jacob Greaves’ strong start.
Greaves has been exceptional in the air but has struggled with possession and tackling in recent months.
A tactical substitution at half-time against Nottingham Forest highlighted his struggles, with manager Kieran McKenna citing it as a decision rather than an injury.
While Greaves is a player with long-term potential and likely the first-choice left-sided centre-back for Ipswich, Burgess feels like the more reliable option for now.
Having been part of the back-to-back promotions with Ipswich, his steady presence could offer the team greater stability during a season of transition.
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson, despite being one of Ipswich’s key summer signings, has had limited playing time in the Premier League.
After leaving West Ham, where he helped the team win the UEFA Europa Conference League, Johnson sought regular football.
However, McKenna has often preferred playing natural centre-backs at right-back, limiting Johnson’s opportunities.
His struggles earlier in the season at right-back are understandable, but Johnson has shown significant improvement since then.
His ability in recent months has been solid, and with Axel Tuanzebe now sidelined due to injury, it would make sense to give Johnson more minutes.
His contract is up at the end of the season, and the club should look to build on his potential in the final nine matches.
If Ipswich were to move to a back five, Johnson could slot in as the right wing-back, a position that suits him.
Given his improvement and the fact that he could be a key player in the future, it’s time to give him more time on the field.
Jack Taylor
Regardless of whether Ipswich stays in the Premier League, their midfield will need reinforcements.
The club would love to keep Jens Cajuste, who has arguably been their standout player this season, but that’s only possible if they avoid relegation. If the Blues go down, the chances of him staying are slim, as Napoli will likely receive lucrative offers if he returns this summer.
Kalvin Phillips, meanwhile, will likely return to Manchester City, even if Ipswich manages to stay up. While he has contributed this season, it’s hard to see a long-term future for him at Portman Road.
Sam Morsy, who turns 34 in September, has been a crucial player for Ipswich, but he can’t go on forever. Massimo Luongo, who will also turn 33 in September, has struggled for minutes this season, playing just 181 Premier League minutes across two starts and five substitute appearances.
This leaves Jack Taylor, 26, and now a senior Republic of Ireland international. Although he’s only started one league game this season, he’s been a regular off the bench, accumulating 476 minutes of action.
The experience of playing in the Premier League will only benefit him, and he has certainly held his own at this level. If Ipswich drops to the Championship, Taylor could play a key role in their promotion push. With several midfield changes expected—both in terms of signings and departures—Taylor has the potential to be a consistent figure in the squad moving forward.
While Cajuste and Phillips will likely remain Ipswich’s first-choice midfielders, questions surround their futures. The same can’t be said for Taylor, who looks poised for a bigger role going into next season. Getting him more starts before the season ends would set him up for a strong 2025/26 campaign.
George Hirst
With Liam Delap’s future uncertain, Ipswich currently lacks depth in the striker position.
While Ali Al-Hamadi is performing well on loan at Stoke City, the Blues have shown they might not count on him next season. This leaves George Hirst as the only viable no.9 at the club.
Hirst has had injury issues but has proven himself to be a strong option in the attack. He’s a mature forward, now a Scotland international, and his ability suits McKenna’s tactical system.
Delap has been crucial this season, but Hirst has demonstrated he can provide an alternative when given the chance.
Delap has contributed 10 goals this season, but his form has dropped off since the turn of the year. Hirst, by contrast, has scored twice in limited minutes (270 compared to Delap’s 866).
While Hirst isn’t necessarily a better player than Delap, his recent performances warrant more starts as Ipswich heads into the final stretch of the season.
With more opportunities, Hirst could boost his confidence and make a significant impact ahead of next season.
