Luca Fletcher is a key part of Ipswich Town's Under-21s team (Image: Ross Halls)
Luca Fletcher is a key part of Ipswich Town's Under-21s team (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town Under-21s attacker Luca Fletcher spoke to Alex Jones after Tuesday’s EFL Trophy defeat to Peterborough United...
Luca Fletcher is one of the bigger names in Ipswich’s new-look academy set-up. He's not local, unlike many of his team-mates. His journey started elsewhere – first at Reading, and then Manchester City, who signed him in 2023 for a reported fee of around £600k plus future add-ons.
Life at an elite academy isn’t easy for any young player – ‘cut-throat’, in Fletcher’s words. But it gave him vital experience that he still carries with him.
“I started at Reading when I was 13,” he told the EADT and Ipswich Star.
“I was doing well there, enjoying my football. I was playing in different positions - right wing, right-back, striker, all over the place. It was fun.
“Then I went to City when I was 16. I had a decent first season. The second season was a bit harder.
“There’s just so many players at City, so much quality. It’s really cut-throat, but it’s good.
Fletcher spent time at Manchester City's academy before joining the Blues
(Image: PA)
“It prepares you for the top level. If you want to be at the top, you’ve got to compete with the top, play with the top every day, and play in the top matches.”
He continued: “Then I came to Ipswich [first on loan, then permanently] and got a really good opportunity. I’m really grateful for it. I’m enjoying my football here.
“I think this season is really crucial for me. I’m getting a bit older. I turn 20 next year, so I need to push on now.”
Given his high profile and his background at one of the country’s top academies, why come to Ipswich?
“I just think the way that the pathway was presented was really good,” Fletcher explained.
“People are amazing here. It’s all about the people. If you don’t have great people around you, you’re not going to do well, are you?
“It’s a great club. They’re going in a really good direction. New training ground. Great players to be around every day as well. Really nice groups.”
For Fletcher, having good people around him is crucial. That starts with his inner circle – his family.
Luca Fletcher v Peterborough United
The 19-year-old's family travel to watch him play games
(Image: Ross Halls)
“My dad comes to every match,” he revealed. “My girlfriend, family as well. My family always come and support me.
“I think that’s most important. It warms my heart when I see them in the stands.
“My dad has always helped me when I was growing up. My mum as well. My grandparents have never done professional sport but have always been sporty.
“My dad and my mum have been with me every step of the way. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. I’m very grateful for that. I’m really grateful for them and my family helping me get here.
“Hopefully I can push on and do them proud.”
As he looks to forge a career in senior football and become a reliable forward who can work his way into Gary O’Neil’s first team, Fletcher continues to style his game on two of the greats.
“I like Thierry Henry,” the 19-year-old revealed. “He was a great player.
“[Kylian] Mbappe as well. I’ve seen him when he was young at the World Cup. He was making those in-behind runs, finishes, one-on-ones with the keeper.
Fletcher bases his game on Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe
(Image: PA)
“I think that’s my type of game as well. It’s good to watch him and see what he’s doing. He’s a top player, isn’t he?
“It’s good to watch football. If you don’t watch football, you’re never going to be able to add it to your game. If you can get that experience from watching it, it’s always good.”
If Fletcher is going to play at a similar level to his idols, he’ll need more experience. Performing at Premier League 2 level is one thing, but competing with fully-developed men who have spent years in the EFL is much, much harder.
Town’s U21s are well aware of that now, having entered the EFL Trophy for the first time.
Holders Luton Town swatted them aside at Kenilworth Road last month, winning 6-0, while Peterborough United sent the young Blues crashing out of the competition by beating them 4-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday night.
Reflecting on the second game, Fletcher admitted: “It was tough. We came out well in the first 20 minutes, it was good.
“The penalty obviously changed the momentum of the game. Then we let in a couple of cheap goals, good goals to be fair, but it just killed the game.
The young Blues were beaten 4-1 by Peterborough United on Tuesday night (Image: Ross Halls)
“In the second half we tried to come out and win the half, we did, but it still needs to be better in the first half. It’s just not good enough.
“I think the games are quite different compared to Premier League 2, Premier League Cup, all of that.
“Men’s football is just different to U21s football, I think we’re all just adapting to be honest. It’s a good experience though.
“Football is different. It’s the reality of men’s football. We all need to grow up a bit, use our football minds a bit better, not be so naïve in different aspects of the game, and just be more clinical.”
One of the big positives from the night was Fletcher’s goal, his first in senior football. The winger made a quick run down the left, latching on to Charlie Compton’s pass before firing low under Alex Bass to get one back for Ipswich.
“I had a similar chance against Luton, which I didn’t score, so I’m happy that I was able to convert this one,” he chuckled.
“It’s good to get my tally off and you start scoring more, assisting more. Hopefully I can continue to do that throughout the season.
Fletcher scored his first senior goal in the EFL Trophy clash (Image: Ross Halls)
“It’s good that I scored tonight, but in all matches, we just need to be more clinical, convert more chances and just stay in the game, to be honest.”
Despite the result, the performance was a clear improvement on the Luton game. Where Town struggled with the pace and physicality against the Hatters, they competed well with the Posh for around 80 minutes – let down by a short spell that ultimately cost them the match.
“I think it was a bit of a shock to the system, Luton,” Fletcher recalled. “I don’t think we knew what we were up against.
“Today, we were better prepared. We’ve been working in training and stuff, working hard.
“It comes back to us conceding four goals, but we’ll go again.”
So, what’s next for Fletcher?
At his age, he’s constantly assessing what’s going to be best for his career and development, and what will open the pathway for him to become a first-team player.
The attacker is open to a loan move if the right opportunity arises
(Image: Ross Halls)
“In the next few matches, I’ll be trying to get as many goals and assists as possible,” he stated. “Good performances.
“I keep trying to impress the gaffer. Obviously, that’s very important.
“I’m trying to break through if there’s opportunities. If I get one, I’ll try and take it to the best of my ability.
“If a loan comes around, I’m definitely open to it as well. We’ll just have to see what happens in the next transfer window.
“I’m excited for that.”