Ipswich are in a good position after window, says Kieran McKenna

Kieran McKenna thinks Ipswich have had a successful transfer window and will be competitive in the Premier League, even if he is unable to add a forward in the final few hours.

McKenna has guided the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in back-to-back campaigns and has brought in a host of new faces to Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna is now speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s match against Fulham. 🗣️🎙️

On possible deadline day additions: “It’s less likely than likely, but it’s not impossible. It’s (forward) an area we have looked at and the Club is continuing to work hard. If it’s not…

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 30, 2024

Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson made his move permanent while Hull defender’s Jacob Greaves, Man City forward Liam Delap, Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, Burnley defender Dara O’Shea, Blackburn attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics, Burnley keeper Arjianet Muric, Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene and Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips have all been brought in.

Ahead of his side’s home match with Fulham on Saturday, McKenna claimed: “We’ve done some really good business, we knew it was a big, big window for us – it always is for a newly promoted team.

“For a team coming from our position with the trajectory we’ve had as a football club. Everyone was of the same mindset that it was really important to strengthen as much as we could.

“It’s been a really challenging window and I think we’ve got into a good position, not everything goes your way but everyone has worked really hard to give us a squad that gives us a chance to be competitive this year.”

Broja deal not dead

One of the things which have not gone his way is the signing of a striker, with Chelsea striker Armando Broja, 22, failing a medical due to a foot injury.

It has left Town with just Delap, Ali Al-Hamadi and the injured George Hirst on the books as forwards.

McKenna has not ruled out revisiting the Broja deal before Friday evening’s deadline and added: “The club continues to work hard right to the last bit of the window. If there’s the right opportunity for the right player that improves us, we’ll look to do it.

“If it’s not possible then we’ll progress with the squad that we have. We have a lot of faith in all of the players in the squad and the players we have in those areas.”

“I’m happy with where we’re at. You don’t get every first target you go for, whether that’s Manchester City or Ipswich Town. At the moment we are light in the forward positions, with Liam in his first season of Premier League football and Ali as the other option who we know has come from playing League Two eight months ago.

“If we don’t manage to strengthen, we have George Hirst coming back from injury after the window closes and we’ll go with three hungry, young strikers in George, Liam and Ali who we know what we’re going to get from.

“We know they will improve and develop over the course of the season. I believe all three of them can have an impact at this level.”

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna on Broja:

🗣️ “We will see what is right and hopefully the best resolution will be found by this evening.

I think it is less likely than likely at the moment, but it is not impossible. It is a position that we have looked at to strengthen.” pic.twitter.com/tStKP8JGjg

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 30, 2024