Ipswich Town

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Ipswich have shown an interest in taking Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene to Portman Road this month.

The 22-year-old was close to moving to the Tractor Boys in the summer, only to re-join Villa just a year after being sold to Hull City.

Ipswich agreed an £18m deal with the Tigers in July but Villa inserted a clause into their negotiations with Hull when they sold Philogene in 2023, meaning they would have three days to match any bid once a deal had been agreed.

The England Under-21 international opted to return to Villa Park but has made just four starts, two in the Premier League, this season.

Ipswich are looking at wide options after Chiedozie Ogbene's season-ending Achilles injury in October.

Meanwhile, the Tractor Boys have no desire to sell Liam Delap, who joined from Manchester City in a deal worth £20m in the summer, this January.

The striker has seven goals in 17 league starts, including a penalty in the 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday, and is key to their survival hopes with Kieran McKenna's side a point from safety.

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

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Ipswich Town ended 2024 on a massively deserved high, and if they are still in the Premier League this time next year, then 2025 will have been a huge success.

Things have been far from easy for Kieran McKenna and his players since they secured successive promotions in May, and staying up would be by far and away the manager's greatest achievement in football to date.

In spite of Town's lowly position in the table at present, get ready for yet more speculation regarding the Northern Irishman's future in the coming months. He remains a class act and elite coach, so should he still be in charge at Portman Road come next Christmas, it is likely there will be a high level of optimism among supporters, regardless of what division the team is playing in.

How do Town beat the drop then?

Well, a fully fit squad (or something close to it) would help. A lack of that since the campaign got underway has meant McKenna's struggled to play his best XI on a regular basis. In fact, many would agree he is probably yet to discover it.

That said, a contingent of players who have been with the boss since their days in League One possibly have not helped matters. Six of them started the impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea, and the likes of Cameron Burgess and Conor Chaplin have arguably outperformed some of their newer team-mates who cost big money in the summer. Surely that makes team selection that little bit more difficult?

In spite of that, you cannot doubt McKenna being the right man to keep squad harmony intact and, if Town edge a few more of the many tight fixtures they have been involved in so far, then do not write them off.

Listen to The Blue Hour with Brenner Woolley every Monday and Matchday Preview with Graeme McLoughlin every Friday, along with live coverage of every Ipswich Town game, home and away, on BBC Radio Suffolk.

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We asked what Ipswich's New Year resolutions should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Tiny: Don't get relegated and win some home games.

Peter: Just to stay in the Premier League would be enough.

Paul: To get another forward to take the load off Delap. With Hirst injured and Al-Hamadi inexperienced, we're crying out for reinforcement.

James W: Firstly I would implore McKenna to start Christian Walton in goal, Muric has not been an upgrade at all. Secondly I would keep playing Kalvin Phillips who is clearly a confidence player and McKenna has previous for getting a tune out of players. Finally please keep Liam Delap!

James R: We need Muric to think before he acts. He's a good keeper with good attributes, but his mental game is poor. If he can sort that out then we will see a much better second half of the season.

Matt: When we are 1-0 down, don't sit back to avoid further damage, please try to push for an equaliser!

Danny: While we haven't picked up (or held onto) enough points this season, overall we've been competitive in the majority of games in a league where we're already punching well above our weight. My New Year resolution? Keep the faith and trust in Kieran and our boys!

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans:

Chris: So pleased for Town. Would've killed to be inside Portman Road tonight. Funny how replacing Muric went hand in hand with a first home win. Come on Kieran, keep Walton as first choice for the remainder of the season!

Matt: My faith totally restored in Kieran the moment I saw that he had picked Walton at last. How many results would have been different this season if Walton had played? Fantastic performance from Town. This must give the lads the confidence that they can beat anyone on their day (apart from Liverpool maybe!). I think we can survive.

Chris: Hard-working, gritty and determined victory for the Tractor Boys. Delap was outstanding, and him and Hutchinson ran their socks off all night. Morsy immense in midfield and the defence really solid against a star-studded Chelsea attack. Kieran fully justified in bringing back Walton. The boys have to back this one up now and go to Fulham and get something. What a way to welcome in the New Year!

James: Ipswich produced an excellent team performance from back to front, and we were well worth the 2-0 victory. Kieran McKenna got the tactics spot on tonight, defending resiliently and blocking everything that came into the box before attacking with pace and power on the break. Christian Walton came in and was exemplary, with Liam Delap unplayable up top. By the end, Chelsea were chasing their tails and resorted to throwing themselves to the ground at every opportunity in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the game. All in all, a near-perfect night's work.

Chelsea fans:

Colin: Same again, poor passing, poor defending, poor attitude. They don't seem to play together. Try and pass to your own team-mates. Why try to walk the ball in? Attack quicker and create something. A dismal display again. It's hard to watch, they must do better.

David: Well enough of the title talk. Fernandez awful, Caicedo awful, defence slow and awful, Ipswich brilliant, Delap outstanding. Chelsea players need to look at themselves with their play acting. Maresca needs to look at his team management within the game and do something different when things don't go as planned. I think he dipped like this at Leicester about this time last year. This team needs confidence and at the moment they are devoid of any. Making the changes against Fulham was the catalyst for this.

Gary: Disappointing performances across the last three games. One point from nine over the holiday period is not good enough especially against two poor sides in Everton and Ipswich. However, the target is top four this season (68 points) so we're on schedule for that after 19 games. Let's hope the boss can reignite the fire again for the second round of games.

Chris: Looks like the bubble has burst, again. Maresca now has a major job, he needs to pick his best team and stick with it and stop chopping and changing! There is no Chelsea team that should ever include Disasi!

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Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has shown he is a "quality player" this season, after scoring a penalty and contributing an assist in their 2-0 win over Chelsea.

"He has been linked with some very big clubs, hasn't he?" Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There are some big clubs, as we know, that will be looking to make some big moves in the January window.

"Ipswich will do very well to hold on to him. If they don't survive in the Premier League, you can't see his future being there.

"He is a quality player. He led the line on his own against Chelsea. At times, Chelsea were playing a back five with four players in front, and they defended resolutely, but he was always an outlet.

"He is a pest. He is a nuisance. He is always there on the shoulders of the centre-backs. He is making runs in the channels. He is always available.

"When it looks like he isn't going to win the ball, he puts his body in between the player and the ball, somehow managing to win a free-kick or something for his team.

"He is a top, top player."

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Liam Delap both scored and assisted in a Premier League game for the second time this season, becoming the second Ipswich Town player to do so more than once in a single season after Finidi George in 2001-02 (also twice).

Delap's goal was Ipswich Town's first penalty goal in the Premier League in over 23 years, with Marcus Stewart's strike in November 2001 also coming against Chelsea.

Chelsea are eying 21-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, as they look to provide competition for first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna speaking to Sky Sports:

"Special night for the club, for the players and fans. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic.

"Most of the supporters who have been here for 22 years, every moment here is a landmark for them. Winning the home game is another special little landmark. But I think the time of year, the night game, the opponent make this a special night and I want everyone to enjoy it a lot. But on the inside we get ready for the next one. We'll be back into work on Wednesday and getting ready for Sunday.

"It was everything we needed to be. Started well, pressed well on the front foot had some nice moments on the ball. Cashed in on the good start with the goal and after that we defended well, top intensity and organisation. Dealt with the pressure well and you have to make good saves and have moments go your way and keep the threat going the other way and we had that throughout. We had some really good breakaways, shots consistently through the game. At 2-0 we managed the game really well.

"We've had a few VARs against us so when their goal was disallowed for offside it was a deep breath in the crowd. That was a good feeling but we've had a lot of 1-0's here so to get the second goal was nice.

"It won't change much inside. The group are working well and believe what we do day to day. Halfway through the season and we've been competitive in the large majority of our games. It's only some small improvements we need to make to win more games. We're a humble group with belief and we'll be back at it.

"Incredible year. Everyone involved with Ipswich can probably enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the games we've had and moments over the last couple of years. I don't want to point backwards too much but I think six of the starting line-up today were in our League One team so it's the journey this group has been on.

"When you have moments like this you have a little pause and enjoy it but then move on to the next one."

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Ipswich striker Liam Delap speaking to Sky Sports: "We've worked so hard this season and it's not gone right. The performances have deserved a win and today we showed we are excellent and we defended well, attacked them well. We're buzzing."

On penalty: "I don't know what clipped me but something did. I just tried to get there before him [Filip Jorgensen] and he was coming out fast so I knew he'd touch me if I didn't get it round him.

"We've had three or four opportunities where we've not had the penalty we probably deserved so it's nice to get that one and put it in the back of the net. I've practiced them a million times so just aimed for the corner and put it there.

"I don't think it changes much. We've performed as well as that in other games this season but not got the result. Not finished our chances or conceded late. We just need to push on now and get more victories."

Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson speaking to Sky Sports: "It's good to write history and finally get the first win at home.

"Grateful for what Chelsea did in my career, gave me my debut, but I'm playing for Ipswich now and I want to score and help my team get three points and help us stay up."

On backflip celebration: "Everyone's been asking me to do it so I thought I would do it for the first home win."

On Delap: "He's a unit he is. Complete package but he's still finding himself and still learning and trying to become a top player so he's a good striker to play with.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

There are three games in the Premier League on Monday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Chelsea (19:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Brighton (19:45)

• Man Utd v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times are GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Ipswich's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Chelsea have had a couple of disappointing results over Christmas, firstly failing to score against Everton and then losing late on against Fulham.

Maybe Blues boss Enzo Maresca was right when he said his side were not title contenders. I still think that was more kidology than him ruling his side out of the race but, either way, it must be painful to drop points like that after winning their previous eight games in all competitions.

I am backing them to bounce back here, though, because they should have too much quality for Ipswich.

Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday.

That was typical of Kieran McKenna's side this season. They have given it a real go in the Premier League and they never seem to lie down, whoever they play.

While I am going for a Chelsea win, the one thing at the back of my mind here is that Ipswich's determination and will to hang on in there in games has already brought them some reward in away games.

Eventually it is going to bring them a first home win of the campaign too.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 0-3

Ipswich have done so well to get where they are and I like the way they try to play football, but I only see one winner here.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Ipswich and Southampton are both keen to sign 29-year-old Rennes and Finland midfielder Glen Kamara in January. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has praised the "fantastic" Liam Delap and believes that the 21-year-old striker can have a big impact on an international stage.

Maresca worked with Delap when he was coaching at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and the England Under-21 forward was beginning to break through.

With Ipswich entertaining Chelsea at Portman Road on Monday, Maresca knows exactly what threat Delap will pose his side.

"Liam is a fantastic player for his age," Maresca said. We spent one year together and he scored 22/24 goals - he's a very good striker.

"He works hard on and off the ball - he understands the game and can score goals.

"England are lucky with many good players and strikers [but] because of his age, he can be an important player for England."

Maresca also spoke about how impressed he has been with Town boss Kieran McKenna who has led the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League.

"He's doing fantastic," Maresca said. "Since he joined Ipswich, they are doing top.

"Even this year they are doing well. Congratulations to him for what he is doing since he joined the club."

Full commentary of Ipswich v Chelsea from 19:45 GMT on Monday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Matt: It's better than it was earlier in the season, but our only real failing is not running forward into the opponent's box quick enough when we're on the attack. A two against one in our favour quickly becomes a two v five as defenders get back quicker than our midfield gets up front! Otherwise all good - and especially good to see Martin Odegaard using his right foot!

Les: Switched channels after five minutes. Passing side to side or standing with your foot on the ball is so boring. League Two and National League games are much more exciting.

Richard: Arsenal must score more goals with the possession they have. It's not an easy watch with the score at 1-0. Surely something must be done about the blatant man handling at set pieces especially when the referee is no more than 10 yards away.

Julio: Frustrating home performance. Over 80% possession demonstrated our control of the game but our inability to convert this dominance into more goals was disappointing. We need to show more cutting edge in the final third, particularly in home fixtures where teams set up defensively against us. A win is a win, but we must win better.

Ipswich fans

Tom: A defiant and commendable defensive display, but lacking that final killer ball. Any time we went forward we did the right things but never looked to make a darting run, or more importantly, we failed to release the trigger. When we looked to be a threat on the counter, we were too hesitant to shoot and were never really a danger to Arsenal. Too much respect shown to Arsenal whilst lacking confidence to advance in possession of the ball in fear of losing it. A valiant effort, but you can't get a result from games if you don't take a chance.

Lonnie: Damage limitations personified. Good result for me. Bring on Chelsea. If we can mirror this we cannot complain.

Bazooma: Why can't Kieran McKenna shut up shop like this set up when Town have been 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go in previous games? Hope he learns from this.

Chris: Great effort. Would not rule Ipswich out of playing in the Premier League next year yet!