BBC NEWS: McKenna must unleash “terrific” Ipswich ace to make Phillips even better.
Ipswich Town have made a strong start in the Premier League. Many, including BBC Sport’s top football writer Phil McNulty, predicted the East Anglian team would finish at the bottom of the league and return to the Championship. McNulty stated that staying up this season would be a “significant accomplishment.”So far, the Tractor Boys are defying the odds, sitting in 15th with four points from their first six games, drawing each of their past four outings. Their most recent result was a 2-2 tie with Champions League club Aston Villa, which was a good result at Portman Road owing to two goals from Liam Delap.
Kieran McKenna’s team has had some exceptional performers this season as they fight to avoid relegation. Kalvin Phillips, who is on loan from Manchester City, has been a key player for them.
Phillips game in numbers against Villa
It was a huge coup for Ipswich to be able to get a player with such a strong reputation as Phillips in their first season back in the top division. Although his tenure at the Etihad Stadium did not work out, he is still a high-quality player who joined the Tractor Boys on a season-long loan to help them survive.
Phillips has started three Premier League games after gradually adjusting to the team. He played 90 minutes away against Brighton and Hove Albion in a 0-0 draw at the Amex, which was an excellent result for the East Anglian side.
His greatest effort in Ipswich blue came against Villa on Sunday afternoon at Portman Road. The England international played 69 minutes against Unai Emery’s side and was excellent in and out of possession.
He seemed lot more like the guy we saw at Leeds United, always engaged when his team had the ball.According to Sofascore, he completed 82% of his passes, including five of seven long balls. The midfielder also won seven of eight ground duels, demonstrating strong work ethic when not in possession.
| Phillips stats vs. Villa | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Number |
| Pass accuracy | 82% |
| Touches | 56 |
| Passes completed | 36/44 |
| Ground duels won | 7/8 |
| Long balls completed | 5/7 |
| Tackles won | 3/4 |
| Stats from Sofascore | |
Phillips is performing as well as he has since joining Pep Guardiola’s team in 2022. McKenna might release one player from the Ipswich team to take his performance to the next level. That player is Ben Johnson.
The Hammers’ loss was Ipswich’s gain this summer, as Johnson departed the club for free when his contract expired at the London Stadium. He appeared for the club 109 times, scoring and assisting on two goals each. McKenna’s team made a wise move by signing him for free.
According to football scout Antonio Mango, Ipswich’s number 18 is a “terrific” player who can play several positions. He has only started one Premier League game, a 4-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium, and has appeared as a substitute in two other matches.
His flexibility and technical ability tell volumes. The former West Ham player, a right-back by trade, started in several roles for the club. He has the ball skills necessary to invert in midfield from right-back and even began in the center of the park under David Moyes.
With a more defensive-minded player next to him, Phillips could look to carry the ball further forward and impact the game in the final third, showing off the ability he has in possession even more.
Why Johnson should start against West Ham.
There may not be a game this season that Johnson is more eager to start than his team’s match on Saturday afternoon. The Tractor Boys will go to London for the first time this season to play West Ham United, the Englishman’s boyhood club.
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