“It will be DISASTROUS for Town if he leaves along side Delap”- McKenna Warned: Losing “Sensational” Ipswich Star could be as DEVASTATING as Delap’s exit
Ipswich Town Face Setbacks as Relegation Triggers Uncertain Summer
Ipswich Town have delivered moments of brilliance during their brief return to the Premier League, with memorable wins over top-tier sides like Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, those flashes of quality haven’t been enough to halt their downward spiral, with a string of defeats ultimately sealing their fate.
Their last victory came in early April, and since then, the results have reflected a team in decline.
As such, their relegation back to the Championship hasn’t come as a surprise to manager Kieran McKenna or his squad, who are now preparing for the challenges ahead—likely without one of their standout players, Liam Delap.
Liam Delap’s Future in Doubt
Delap has been one of Ipswich’s few bright spots this season. Signed from Manchester City last summer for a bold £20 million, the move raised eyebrows at the time given his limited top-flight experience.
But the 22-year-old has proven his worth, netting 12 goals in a struggling side—an impressive return that has sparked interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
With a £30 million release clause activated by Ipswich’s relegation, Delap could be on the move this summer.
Reports suggest Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Manchester United are all monitoring the striker, and The Guardian recently claimed that Sporting Lisbon—led by Ruben Amorim—have tabled a lucrative £150,000-a-week offer for him.
Leif Davis Also Attracting Interest
Unfortunately for Ipswich, Delap might not be the only key player heading for the exit. Left-back Leif Davis is also being linked with a move, with Nottingham Forest reportedly keen on the defender.
Though Davis managed only three assists across 31 Premier League matches, his influence was far more pronounced in the Championship.
During Ipswich’s promotion-winning 2023/24 season, Davis contributed a staggering 21 assists and averaged 2.9 key passes per game.
His attacking threat down the left flank played a major role in their success, making him potentially even harder to replace than Delap.
A Tough Road Ahead for McKenna and Ipswich
Manager Kieran McKenna remains a respected figure among the Ipswich faithful, and he’ll be eager to retain his core players as they look to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
However, if both Delap and Davis leave this summer, the squad could be left significantly weakened.
While Ipswich managed their previous promotion push without Delap, losing Davis—who’s been hailed as “sensational” by journalist Stuart Watson—would leave a massive void on the left side of their attack.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Ipswich Town face a critical test of resilience.
The potential departures of key talents could hamper their efforts to return to the top flight and make this off-season one of the most pivotal in the club’s recent history.
