Championship football returns to Portman Road following an unsuccessful, but somewhat respectable, Premier League campaign by Ipswich Town. One excellent piece of news for the Tractor Boys is yesterday’s unveiling of Napoli’s Jens-Lys Cajuste – as a year-long acquisition.
At second tier level, the 25-year-old will stabilise Ipswich’s midfield, partnering newcomer Azor Matusiwa, offering direct replacements for Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo. The latter made an EFL switch to Millwall earlier this month.
Welcoming the Midifeld Maestro
Having featured in 33 domestic appearances for the Tractor Boys in the top flight, Cajuste boasts a wealth of quality and experience ahead of a promotion-chasing campaign. As promising favourites for the title, Ipswich will be hoping the Swede’s addition will compliment their fantastic squad. Kieran McKenna staying put may also provide the stability required for Town to mount this charge as well as cement the midfielder as an important catalyst.
Summer Business Improving
This will be Ipswich’s second loan deal of a relatively quiet summer window – when considering their subsequent parachute payments. Murmurings of a hijacked move, with Chupa Akpom snubbing both Birmingham City and former side Middlesbrough in the space of a week, could see the Tractor Boys land another signing in the coming days. Cédric Kipré completed a temporary move, arriving from Stade Reims, and will return to the Championship having already featured heavily in the division with West Bromwich Albion in 2023/24.
McKenna has retained an abundance of quality, despite injuries to Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene-Bidace hindering his plans recently, with a sale of Liam Delap to Chelsea funding some luxury reinforcements. Matusiwa, as aforementioned, arrives for around £10 million, with Ashley Young looking to continue his career now into his 40s. David Button has also been acquired as an experienced back-up goalkeeper. Axel Tuanzebe, Cameron Burgess, Marcus Harness and fan favourites Morsy and Luongo have all left the club.
The incoming Napoli midfielder has featured in a few leagues, with international experience ranging from 2020 to 2024. 25 appearances with Sweden make Cajuste a valuable asset. Stints at Örgryte, FC Midtjylland and Reims earned the 25-year-old a permanent switch to Serie A reigning champions, Napoli, in 2023 – Cajuste appeared six times in the Champions League during his inaugural season with Gli Azzuri.
Writer’s View
Matusiwa and Cajuste as a partnership will likely dominate in the Championship. The physicality, composure and awareness that both will bring may create an unmatched chemistry in the Ipswich midfield. There are some stellar double pivot midfields in the second tier, but McKenna has improved this position drastically despite the fan adoration and excellent service of Luongo and Morsy.
Without signing a great deal of players, Ipswich have definitely played the window correctly and have ultimately strengthened a squad already tipped for promotion.
