Japhet Tanganga has impressed since returning to Millwall on a permanent dealJaphet Tanganga has impressed since returning to Millwall on a permanent deal (Image: PA)
Japhet Tanganga
It’s important to note that there’s no guarantee that Ipswich will look for a new right-back next month. It’s clear, however, that they miss Axel Tuanzebe, who’s out with a severe hamstring injury. For all the benefits that Ben Johnson and Harry Clarke bring to the side, it’s not quite the same.
Tuanzebe isn’t a natural right-back. He’s a centre-back with extraordinary pace and a good ability in one-v-one situations. His versatility allows Ipswich to move into a 3-4-2-1 when they are under pressure, which is a role that could suit Japhet Tanganga.
Tanganga was linked with Ipswich over the summer, but he returned to Millwall after his loan spell from Tottenham came to an end, signing permanently. He’s arguably been their top performer so far this season, playing at right centre-back alongside Jake Cooper.
However, the 25-year-old has many of the same qualities that Tuanzebe possesses, as well as previous experience at right-back. He’s also a threat from set pieces and would surely relish the chance to return to the Premier League.
Trai Hume can play anywhere in the back lineTrai Hume can play anywhere in the back line (Image: PA)
Trai Hume
Although Trai Hume has primarily been used as a right-back at Sunderland, he can really play anywhere in the back line.
The 22-year-old was signed from Linfield in 2022 and has quickly become a crucial player for the Black Cats, working his way into the team after they secured promotion to the Championship.
In fact, last season he featured in all 46 of their league fixtures, starting 45 of them and playing over 4000 minutes. He boasts excellent stamina, but is also an excellent one-v-one defender – arguably the best in the second tier.
His defensive work is what stands out, but he always pops up with the odd assist too. He gets into good areas and has an impressive passing range.
As mentioned, right-back isn’t his only position. He’s comfortable at left-back and can play as a centre-back in a back three as well. That would tick a lot of boxes for McKenna, although he wouldn’t come cheap.
Finn Azaz is a five-cap Republic of Ireland internationalFinn Azaz is a five-cap Republic of Ireland international (Image: PA)
Finn Azaz
When it comes to Ipswich and Middlesbrough, all the talk has been around Emmanuel Latte Lath. As a result, Finn Azaz has been somewhat overlooked.
The attacking midfielder made the step up to the Championship with Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Aston Villa, and adapted with relative ease. As a result, Michael Carrick’s side were able to secure a January move for him earlier this year, although he struggled up on Teesside in the second half of last season.
It’s been a different story this campaign, however.
The 24-year-old has registered six goals and eight assists in 20 appearances, putting in exceptional displays against the likes of Luton Town and Oxford United. He’s creative and physical – standing at 6ft 1in – while also being a real threat both inside and outside the box.
Although he prefers to play through the middle, he can also act as a winger, particularly in a narrow role.
Would the step-up to the Premier League be too much for him midway through the season? It’s hard to tell, but he’s an exciting player. As a Republic of Ireland international, it shouldn't be hard for the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Dara O'Shea to convince him to join.
Fabio Carvalho has struggled for regular minutes at BrentfordFabio Carvalho has struggled for regular minutes at Brentford (Image: PA)
Fabio Carvalho
Fabio Carvalho was supposed to be the next big thing, but it hasn’t really worked out in that way. A superstar at Fulham, he joined Liverpool in 2022 but struggled for game time, leading to loan spells at RB Leipzig and Hull City.
He impressed for the Tigers in the Championship last season, leading to a move to Brentford over the summer. The reported transfer fee was £27.5 million.
For that reason, a permanent departure is very unlikely, especially given the fact that he signed a five-year contract in West London. However, with just three starts in 16 games and a total of 412 minutes in the Premier League this season, he’s going to be desperate for some more game time.
His father has already urged him to ‘get out’ of Brentford for that reason. It means that a loan exit can’t be ruled out.
The 22-year-old is a natural no.10, but he can also play on either flank or as a striker. In fact, he actually partnered Liam Delap up front in some games for Hull towards the end of last season.
He’s creative and fun to watch, but also has a point to prove and can be developed by Kieran McKenna in a short space of time.
James McAtee plays with Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson at international levelJames McAtee plays with Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson at international level (Image: PA)
James McAtee
As a Manchester City academy graduate, James McAtee clearly has talent. The fact that he’s still at the club suggests that they want to keep him for as long as possible. The Cityzens may have learned their lesson from selling Cole Palmer too early.
Most of McAtee’s senior experience has come at Sheffield United. He had a loan spell at Bramall Lane back in 2022/23, bagging nine goals and three assists in the Championship before stepping up to the Premier League with them the following season.
In a dismal campaign for the Blades, McAtee stood out. It was expected to be a platform for him to kick on, but instead, he returned to the Etihad Stadium and has spent most of the season warming the bench. He needs regular football now.
A January exit – either a loan or a permanent deal – will surely be a priority for the 22-year-old. Crystal Palace have already been linked with a circa £20 million move for him and others will be eyeing him in the coming weeks.
McAtee can play as a no.10 or out wide. Crucially, he’s also a regular for England Under-21s, so has a pre-existing relationship with both Delap and Hutchinson. That would surely be a big help on the pitch, and may help Town to convince him to make a move to Portman Road.
Dapo Afolayan left Bolton Wanderers to join St. Pauli in 2022Dapo Afolayan left Bolton Wanderers to join St. Pauli in 2023 (Image: PA)
Dapo Afolayan
Dapo Afolayan has had an interesting route to the top.
Having played for a handful of elite academies before moving to Toronto as a child, he returned to England with Solihull Moors before joining West Ham in 2018. He never made a senior appearance for them, and after three different loan spells, he joined Bolton Wanderers on a permanent deal after helping them secure promotion from League Two.
A couple of stellar campaigns in the third tier saw him sign for St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga in 2023, and it proved to be a good decision as they were promoted to the German top flight in 2023/24.
Two goals in 14 Bundesliga games isn’t a brilliant return, but he’s adapted well to the level and has core characteristics that McKenna would like. He’s 5ft 11in, fast and has a knack for popping up in pockets of space. He likes running at defenders and has a good right foot on him.
It wouldn’t break the bank to bring him to Suffolk, and the fact that he can play on either flank or as a no.10 would be a big help for Ipswich. The 26-year-old would probably be open to returning to England, so the Premier League would be a big appeal.
Nicolas Kühn has been one of Celtic's star players this seasonNicolas Kühn has been one of Celtic's star players this season (Image: PA)
Nicolas Kühn
Nicolas Kühn’s career has taken him around Europe. Born in Germany, he progressed through RB Leipzig’s academy before joining Ajax, although he never appeared for their senior team. A brief stint at Bayern Munich’s youth team followed before he left for Rapid Wien. That’s when Celtic came calling.
Brendan Rodgers signed him last January for a reported fee of £3m, slowly integrating him into the team as they went on to win the league title. He’s used this season as an opportunity to kick on.
Five goals and six assists in 13 appearances is a good record, even if the Scottish Premiership is a step down from the Premier League in terms of quality. Kühn also bagged a brace against former club RB Leipzig in the Champions League, with the BBC recently labelling him as ‘one of the most important players in the Celtic team’.
Predominantly played on the right side, the Bundesliga website describes him as ‘a rather rare commodity in being left-footed, but he is equally at home on the left or the right, or even behind the strikers as a support man’.
The article adds that he is 'a player who loves nothing more than to have the ball at his feet and dribble at his opponents. He resembles a [Kingsley] Coman type of player. With a high level of confidence, he is not afraid to take risks by seeking one-on-ones and taking on his opponents, using his pace and excellent close control to deadly effect.’
At 24, Kühn has a high ceiling and will fancy testing himself against some of the best players in the world. Is there anywhere better than the Premier League?