Time’s up: McKenna must offload Ipswich ace who earns as much as Delap

Ipswich Town’s rise to the Premier League in recent years has been nothing short of extraordinary, achieving back-to-back promotions from League One—a rare feat in modern football.

Manager Kieran McKenna is largely credited for the club’s recent success. He took charge during a challenging period and quickly revitalized the first team, instilling confidence in the players and guiding them to these remarkable accomplishments.

For many fans, the idea of seeing Ipswich in the Premier League seemed like a distant dream. But thanks to McKenna’s leadership, a new generation of supporters is set to experience the excitement of top-flight football during the 2024/25 season.

Naturally, the club’s management had to invest heavily this summer to ensure the Tractor Boys have a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League, spending over £100 million on new signings during the transfer window.

One player, in particular, has made a significant impression after his recent arrival, taking the Premier League by storm in his first full season at this level.

Liam Delap’s Impact at Ipswich Town

Liam Delap joined Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20 million from Manchester City this summer, a transfer that raised eyebrows given his limited experience in the Premier League, where he had only made two brief substitute appearances.

Delap, however, has adapted quickly, making an immediate impact for McKenna’s team. In his first seven Premier League matches, the 21-year-old has already scored four goals, placing him joint fourth in the league’s top scorers.

His standout moment came with two goals against Aston Villa, securing a crucial point against a side that finished in the top four last season. Delap followed that performance with another goal in a recent match against West Ham United, though Ipswich fell to a 4-1 defeat.

While Ipswich faces a tough season ahead, their chances of survival will be boosted if Delap can maintain his excellent form in front of goal.

However, despite Delap’s strong start, another player on the team earns the same weekly wage as him, though his contribution to the squad doesn’t quite match that of the striker.

The Player Matching Delap’s Salary

Even after a summer of significant squad changes, several key players from last season’s Championship promotion remain at Ipswich. One of them is goalkeeper Christian Walton, who at 28 years old made just one league appearance last season, primarily serving as a backup to Vaclav Hladky.

Despite limited playing time, Walton started the season opener against Liverpool but was replaced by new signing Aro Muric as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Since then, Walton has been relegated to the bench, although he continues to earn a reported £20,000 per week—the same as Delap.

Walton’s hefty wages do not reflect his reduced role in the squad. His lack of appearances and high salary could prompt the club to consider offloading him, especially with youngster Cieran Slicker potentially stepping up as second-choice behind Muric.

Although Walton is undeniably talented, his current situation suggests that Ipswich might look to move him on in the January transfer window.