Kalvin Phillips has suffered five different injury set-backs during a stop-start season on loan at Ipswich Town.Kalvin Phillips has suffered five different injury set-backs during a stop-start season on loan at Ipswich Town. (Image: PA)
KALVIN PHILLIPS
Story before joining: The 31-cap England international, only two years removed from a £45m switch to Man City, was the biggest name signing of last summer. He had plenty of interest, but ultimately felt Ipswich was the best place for him to rebuild fitness and confidence after a couple of frustrating years at the Etihad.
It made a lot of sense. There was a feelgood factor at the Blues that he'd experienced when stepping up to the Premier League with Leeds in the past. There'd be less of an intense spotlight than at a more scrutinised football club (as had been the case at West Ham). His best mate, Leif Davis, was at Portman Road. And, in Kieran McKenna, he'd be working under a manager with a growing reputation for developing players.
Tale of the loan spell: Unfortunately, 29-year-old has never really been able to find a rhythm. There have been five different injury set-backs - thigh, ankle, calf, foot and Achilles. Since his controversial dismissal in the home game against Leicester early last November he has started just seven Premier League games in fits and starts.
Where would the Blues be had they been able to call upon the Euro 2020 star regularly? We'll never know. Sadly, we've only seen tantalising glimpses of his experience, physicality and passing range over a stop start season.
Contract: Still has three years left on the reported £150k-a-week six-year deal he signed at City in 2022.
Where next? He's not going to be in Pep Guardiola's plans as Man City look to wrestle back their crown and he's not going to walk away from a bumper contract there either, so another loan spell looks nailed on.
The injury record this season means there will probably be less suitors this summer then there were last. The obvious destination would be a return to Leeds, a place he was adored, following their return to the Premier League. The Yorkshire club might just feel there's no room for sentiment though as they look to buck the trend of newly-promoted clubs going straight back down.
If the above is the case then could a return to Ipswich on loan, in the Championship, be a possibility? 'Highly unlikely' would be my verdict. Even if he was up for it, it would be hard for the club to justify a sizeable chunk of the budget going that way. If it's not Leeds, I could see a loan spell abroad.
Jens Cajuste has been one of Ipswich Town's top performers during his time on loan from Napoli.Jens Cajuste has been one of Ipswich Town's top performers during his time on loan from Napoli. (Image: PA)
JENS CAJUSTE
Story before signing: Napoli were freshly-crowned Serie A champions when Cajuste joined them for a reported €12m from French club Reims, but a disappointing follow-up campaign saw them burn through three managers and finish 10th. Antonio Conte was appointed and Cajuste was deemed surplus to requirements. Brentford pulled the plug on a loan deal at the medical stage and Ipswich swooped.
Tale of the loan spell: The first half of the season was all about building up the midfielder's robustness as he carefully managed a knee issue. It wasn't until mid-March that he completed a full 90 minutes.
Over time, he got better and better - to the point where we're now talking about him being in the conversation for Player of the Year. He's mobile, combative and so smooth on the ball. His silky turn and curling finish in the 4-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest in mid-March capped a superb individual display.
Contract: Still has three years left on he five-year deal he signed at Napoli in 2023.
What's been said: The laid-back Swede says life in Suffolk 'suits me like a hand in a glove' and that it's a case of 'wait and see' regarding what's next. McKenna recently said: "Would we like to keep Jens? I think it would be obvious. He's been one of the top performers. He's a player that we like a lot, but he's a Napoli player. Any conversations won't take place until the end of the season."
What's next? As much as I'd love to see him return, there's no doubt in my mind that several top flight clubs will be vying for Cajuste's signature if Napoli (currently top of the league) let him go again. Several of the ambitious mid-table Premier League outfits should be interested. Having already played in Denmark, France, Italy and England, I wonder if the 25-year-old will fancy a taste of life in Spain or Germany next.
Julio Enciso has got Town fans off their seats since joining from Brighton in January.Julio Enciso has got Town fans off their seats since joining from Brighton in January. (Image: PA)
JULIO ENCISO
Story before signing: Versatile Paraguayan attacker joined Brighton from Libertad in a reported £9.5m deal back in the summer of 2022. He scored eye-catching goals against Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City in his debut Premier League campaign, had a six-month spell out injured and then found himself being as a squad player come January this year. He said he came to Ipswich 'for an opportunity to prove himself'.
Tale of the loan spell: Eagerness to impress was apparent from the very start when he almost kicked Wataru Endo's head off within seconds of coming on at Liverpool. A livewire full debut in the home defeat to Southampton followed. The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury set-back at Aston Villa, leaving the field in tears, and continued to wear his heart on his sleeve.
Deployed as an inside left forward and as a second striker, street footballer has got fans off their seats with his direct dribbling, wiry strength and passionate personality. Some of the defending in his own third has been frustrating, but the X-Factor attacking ability and energy is undeniable. Two goals (including a swerving 30-yard beauty at Everton) and three assists represents a good return from 12 appearances in a struggling side.
Contract: Now heading into the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium.
What's been said: Ipswich boss McKenna said: "He's made a big difference for us and we would have loved to have had him a little bit earlier. There's no option to keep him. He's a big, big talent and he's a Brighton player come the summer."
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: "He is doing well so far and we are happy with his development at Ipswich.
"We all know he can do unbelievable things during the game. He can decide the game with one action. For me it is also important how he behaves as a team-mate. How he defends as a team-mate. We have got some positive feedback."
What's next? Seagulls will either get Enciso to sign a new deal or cash in. There have been reports that, if it's the latter, a £25m fee would be required. It's hard to see Ipswich being willing to pay that (it would represent a new club record) as a Championship club.
If Enciso is persuaded to extend his deal on the south coast, then is it completely out of the question that Ipswich could get him back on loan next season? Brighton would know he's in good hands and he'd know he'd be getting regular game time in front of fans who he's already made a connection with. There's a strong argument that's better for his development than being a bit-part man in the Premier League.
This is a player with big ambitions and under big pressure back in his home nation though. Dropping to the second tier would be a hard sell. A return to Portman Road is not impossible, but my gut feeling is he'll end up elsewhere.
Ben Godfrey has barely featured since enduring difficult afternoons against Man City and Tottenham.Ben Godfrey has barely featured since enduring difficult afternoons against Man City and Tottenham. (Image: PA)
BEN GODFREY
Story before signing: The former Norwich and Everton defender had more than 100 Premier League appearances and two England caps to his name when he joined Europa League winners Atalanta for a reported £11m fee last summer. He barely played for the Italian club in the first half of this season though.
Tale of the loan spell: It was hard to see where the 27-year-old fitted into the equation when he arrived on January 5 and that has proved to be the case.
Endured a difficult league debut in a 6-0 home thrashing to Man City, with the visitors' main threat coming down his side, looked rusty in the FA Cup win at Coventry and then got subbed at half-time of the 4-1 home loss to Tottenham after being given the run around by Son Heung-min.
Wasn't in the matchday squad for two months after that. Injuries/suspensions have seen him return to the picture in recent weeks, but Dara O'Shea being preferred at right-back in the absence of Axel Tuanzebe and Ben Johnson speaks volumes.
Contract: Not stated.
What's been said: "Coming to a new club in January and getting up to speed in the toughest league in the world is really difficult," said McKenna, when asked about Godfrey recently.
Upon signing, Godfrey said: "Playing time, for me as a person, is so important. I look forward to fighting for three points. That’s what I believe I’m built for."
What's next? It's clear Godfrey's future isn't at Atalanta or Ipswich. It will be interesting to see where his fresh start will be. The likes of Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves were all linked back in January. Will a Premier League club look at his CV rather than this season? We'll see.