A delve into some of the best talent coming from the Championship’s promoted duo, with Leicester City and Ipswich Town Premier League bound.
Leicester City’s instant return to the Premier League has shocked very few, with the Foxes setting the Championship benchmark for the majority of the season, despite only winning the title by a point.
That point was enough to beat Ipswich Town, their heroic campaign deservedly resulting in promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years. In the shadows of Sir Alf Ramsay and Bobby Robson, Kieran McKenna has brought success that a generation of Tractor Boys’ supporters have yet to see, but the young manager couldn’t have done it without his players.
Here are some of the best new players in Blue that will be gracing the Premier League next season.
Leif Davis
Mr. Reliable for McKenna, the 24-year-old has been a mainstay at left-back during his reign, making over 80 appearances in two seasons at Portman Road. Known for his incredible attacking output, Davis began his career in the middle of defence but hasn’t looked back since being converted to a fullback by then-Leeds United youth coach Carlos Corberan.
Davis is the integral and irreplaceable facet of Ipswich’s attack, with 18 assists this season coupled with 14 last campaign, both league highs, beating the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Barry Bannan.
Also appearing in the Championship team of the season, Davis looked set for Premier League football regardless of Ipswich’s final positioning, but now he gets to do so wearing the badge he’s made his name for. I’m pretty sure he’d have taken that two years ago as an unwanted asset to the Leeds setup.
Abdul Fatawu
Stephy Mavididi took all the plaudits at the beginning of the season, his dazzling displays earning that right. However, Leicester fans have always been quick to favour their other winger, Fatawu, who signed on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window on loan from Sporting.
The 20-year-old has taken to English football like a duck to water, notching six goals and thirteen assists in just 33 starts this term. His fast and direct style adds a bit of variation to the Foxes’ game and his strength will benefit him greatly, with the physicality of the Premier League coming as a shock to many promoted sides.
Leicester look set to make the loan deal a permanent one for a reported £15million fee. The Foxes had to revolutionise their frontline following relegation, with Fatawu a signing that seems to have minimal risk and potentially massive gain.
Conor Chaplin
Don’t bank on Ipswich attackers in Fantasy next season. Forget Pep roulette, the McKenna selection dilemma will run riots around consistent points, with the front four positions constantly up for grabs this season.
Conor Chaplin has been the only real mainstay, with 42 starts, and has always been McKenna’s man. In League One, Chaplin scooped the Golden Boot award with 26 goals and has only missed three league games in the past two seasons.
Despite being known for his frontline flexibility, Chaplin has truly flourished in the number 10 role this season with 13 goals and eight assists; his ability to play in tight spaces also top-draw. At 27, next season could be make or break for Chaplin in the top flight, but with Chaplin looking the most settled he has so far in his career and the manager’s unwavering support, you’d back him to deliver.
Harry Winks
Certainly not a new boy to the Premier League, Harry Winks now has his time to shine as the main man in a PL midfield. He didn’t pull up any trees during his six seasons in Spurs’ first team but was a well-relied-upon second choice, having amassed over 203 appearances during his time in North London.
Many were shocked when Leicester announced the deal and Winks has proven why this season, becoming undroppable for gaffer Enzo Maresca and forming a formidable partnership with Wilfred Ndidi, despite worries whether the duo could play in the same starting eleven.
Winks may not be the most attack-minded midfielder but has been a rock wearing number eight this season, and his crucial late winner against West Brom in December showed he can get forward. Midfield is where the game is won and lost so often in the Premier League, and a trio of Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall and Winks seems like a solid platform to build from.
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