Player must force Ipswich Town loan exit following development: View
Cieran Slicker may have enjoyed a remarkable campaign with his team, but he will want to be playing more games next season.
Ipswich Town need to sign experienced players in forward, midfield, defense to stay in Premier League long-term post-promotion success.
Vaclav Hladky proved himself in goal, but Christian Walton’s contract extension may limit younger keeper Cieran Slicker’s playing time.
Slicker should secure loan exit for more game time to progress; potential sale of Walton could open doors, but loan is the best option now.
Ipswich Town have plenty of players to sign this summer if they are to give themselves the best chance of staying in the Premier League for the long term.
All positions will need to be looked at, with more experience in the forward department required following the departure of Kieffer Moore.
The midfield will also require an injection of depth and quality, as well as the defence.
Following back-to-back promotions, it’s clear that numerous signings will be required to keep Ipswich at the top level, even though they were nothing short of brilliant during the 2023/24 season.
Even in the goalkeeping area, Kieran McKenna may want to make some changes to ensure his side are as strong as possible during the 2024/25 campaign.
Vaclav Hladky was exceptional this season, stepping up and proving why he deserves to start consistently despite the presence of Christian Walton, who played a key part in the Tractor Boys’ promotion from League One.
Those two aren’t McKenna’s only options though, with Cieran Slicker also appearing for the club at a senior level this term.
The 21-year-old made two competitive appearances during the 2023/24 season, with those displays coming against Bristol Rovers and Reading in the EFL Cup.
And a key development may limit his playing time during the 2024/25 campaign as well.
Christian Walton set to remain at Ipswich Town
TEAMtalk has revealed that Ipswich have taken up the option to extend Walton’s contract at Portman Road by a further year.
The player’s deal had been due to expire at the end of this term and it was unclear whether the 12-month extension was going to be triggered, with the 28-year-old being replaced by Hladky as Ipswich’s first-choice stopper.
But it seems as though the promotion-winners have taken up the option to extend Walton’s stay, which may mean that they purchase one less player this summer.
The keeper, according to TEAMtalk, had attracted interest from elsewhere. But he looks set to remain at Portman Road for the foreseeable future, with the fact he’s not a free agent likely to make him a less attractive option for some teams.
Cieran Slicker must try and secure Ipswich Town loan exit
Walton potentially staying could mean 21-year-old Slicker’s game time is limited once again next season.
The ex-Manchester City player may not have expected to play many games anyway during the 2024/25 season, but this recent development involving Walton reinforces how hard it will be to win any game time in the next year.
With Hladky and Walton available as options, McKenna may be keen to add a third potential starting option to continue ramping up standards in the goalkeeping area, which could downgrade Slicker to fourth choice.
