Ipswich boss eager to get transfer business done early
Kieran McKenna wants the Tractor Boys to get their business done early in 2025.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is looking forward to getting his transfer business done early, amid reports of moves for both Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene and former Everton defender Ben Godfrey.
The Tractor Boys secured a first home Premier League win this season after beating Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road on Monday night, dashing the Blues' Premier League title aspirations.
While McKenna’s side remain in the bottom three, Ipswich are now just a point from safety heading into the next round of fixtures, which sees them at Fulham on Sunday.
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Philogene was a summer target for Town before he instead moved back to former club Villa from Hull, and is reported to have remained on the watchlist as the England under-21 international looks for more regular game time.
Centre-back Godfrey, meanwhile, could be set for a return to East Anglia, with reports in Italy suggesting the former Norwich and Everton defender is on the verge of loan move to Portman Road.
While not being drawn on specific targets, McKenna knows speed is of the essence during what is traditionally a difficult window to get business concluded.
“Discussions start a long time ago, but getting players in at the start of January is another matter,” the Ipswich boss said.
“Each club has their own needs, things can change really, really quickly at the end of December as games come thick and fast and players come into the team, come out of the team, players who you thought might be available are unavailable, players that you thought were unavailable might become available.”
McKenna told a press conference: “We are going to try and do our business early in the window if possible.
“We know that would be a big advantage, but we also know we need to be ready right through the month and be ready to improve the squad when the opportunities come.
“Certainly by the end of January we need to make sure that the squad is of the appropriate size and we want everyone who is still in the building to have a chance of playing and contributing in the Premier League games, so that is what we will try and get to.”
Ipswich will be without forward Conor Chaplin for a couple of weeks because of a knee issue which continues to be assessed.
McKenna confirmed Christian Walton is set to retain his place in goal ahead of Kosovo international Aro Muric, who was dropped to the bench against Chelsea.
“Christian and Aro are, in our opinion, both excellent goalkeepers,” McKenna said. “They have both got the qualities that we need in the squad this year.
“He (Muric) was very good in the build-up to the Chelsea game and has been very good in training this week.
“He is working hard on himself and supporting the group as well and is in a good place.”
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