McKenna could be brewing his own Alexander-Arnold in Ipswich’s “animal”

McKenna could be brewing his own Alexander-Arnold in Ipswich’s “animal.”

For Ipswich Town, the Premier League season has begun in a harsh yet positive manner.

In their first nine games, Kieran McKenna’s team has faced teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Brighton & Hove Albion. Although they have not yet won, four draws indicate that they may still be able to stay in the division.

Moreover, there are a number of players who have looked impressive so far this season, including one regular starter who could just develop into McKenna’s own Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Ipswich’s best players so far

Let’s take a look at some of the team’s top players thus far this season before we go on to the guy in question. There are a number of names to choose from, but one in particular jumps out: Liam Delap.

Despite having a difficult start in Suffolk, where he only scored once in his first five league games, the former Manchester City prospect has scored four goals in his past four games and appears to be among the league’s most productive attackers.

Similarly, Conor Chaplin has shown promise in the League Cup, scoring and dishing out an assist during the match against Brentford, for which he was elected captain.

However, arguably the best player on the pitch for the Tractor Boys on Saturday was someone making his first Premier League start: George Hirst.

The former Leicester City forward tore the Bees apart in the first half, scoring and assisting a goal in what should have been a match-winning performance had Harry Clarke not had one of the worst performances of his career.

With all that said, there is another Ipswich star who has carried on his stellar form from last season and someone who could be compared to Alexander-Arnold.

Why Leif Davis could be McKenna’s Alexander-Arnold

Yes, the player in question is, of course, English full-back Leif Davis.

Leif-Davis-Ipswich

Before the pitchforks and torches are drawn out, let me clarify that we are not in the least bit implying that Davis is or can be as good as Alexander-Arnold, but there are some indisputable parallels between the two.

They are both extremely aggressive full-backs who like to go forward, harry opposing defenders, and create opportunities for their teammates. That is the main advantage.

For example, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions, the Liverpool player is the seventh most similar full-back to the Ipswich player in the Premier League.

Don’t believe them, though, because the Premier League claims that the Blues’ inventive “animal,” as Scott Parker called him, has created six significant opportunities this season—more than the Reds star.

Davis’ Ipswich career
Season 22/23 23/24 24/25
Appearances 46 44 9
Goals 3 2 0
Assists 14 21 2
Goal Involvements per Match 0.36 0.52 0.22
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Last but not least, the former Leeds United star has previously demonstrated to the supporters his inventiveness by finishing the previous season with an incredible 21 assists in 44 games, and the season before that, he had 14 in 46 games.

Ipswich will ultimately have to fight to stay up this season, but they have a chance because to players like Delap, Chaplin, and Hirst in attack and the incredible Davis, who creates a tonne of opportunities from full-back.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/

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