Christian Walton re-established himself as Ipswich Town's No.1 in the season just gone. (Image: Ross Halls)
Christian Walton
2025/26: Championship: 36 (1). Cups: 1 (0).
Contract: 2028
It’s been a rollercoaster five years for the Cornish keeper in Suffolk.
Was a key man in the League One promotion campaign, but a poorly timed foot injury saw him lose his spot to Vaclav Hladky for the whole of the subsequent Championship promotion season. Looked good when he got his chance midway through the Premier League season - a magnificent clean sheet in the win against Chelsea, then was left exposed in big defeats to Man City/Liverpool - but a groin injury struck and the club scrambled to sign Alex Palmer.
It was roles reversed in the campaign just gone. An injury to Palmer opened the door in October and Walton seized his opportunity with both hands to finish the season as second in the Golden Glove race and Town’s Players’ Player of the Year.
The last time Ipswich got promoted they opted not give Hladky a new contract and spent £10m on Aro Muric in an attempt the upgrade their keeper. It didn’t work out. Might it best to stick rather than twist this time?
At 30, Walton’s only just coming into his prime years as a keeper. He’s played a big part in building the culture of the club over the last few years, showing great loyalty and professionalism when out the team. The Premier League is very set-piece based at the moment and the 6ft 5in stopper’s ability to come and confidently claim high crosses could be vital. He’s always been dependable, whatever the level, and has an established relationship with some of the defenders that will start next season.
In my opinion, Walton deserves to be part of the goalkeeper unit. Whether that’s as a starter or not, only time will tell.
Sunderland went out and signed Dutch keeper Robin Roefs (£11.5m) following promotion in 2025 and he took the shirt from Anthony Patterson (loaned to Millwall). On the flip side, at Leeds, new Brazilian keeper Lucas Perri (£15.6m) was kept out of the team by Karl Darlow for much of a successful Premier League campaign.
Verdict: Stay and fight for a starting spot.
Alex Palmer made some big saves in a struggling side after arriving mid-way through the Premier League relegation season. (Image: Ross Halls)
Alex Palmer
2025/26: Championship: 10 (0). Cups: 2 (0).
Contract: 2028
Joined on January transfer deadline day in a £2m deal from West Brom following the aforementioned injury to Walton. Then produced an outstanding MOTM display on his Premier League debut at Aston Villa.
His seven months in the team came in always difficult circumstances, first during the latter stages of a writing’s-on-the-wall Premier League relegation battle and then during a major transitional moment for the team at the beginning of the campaign just gone.
From what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s much between him and Walton in terms of ability. Whether the 29-year-old will be keen to stick around as a back-up is another question. A return to West Brom has been mooted in some quarters. It’s not impossible that Ipswich look to get their money back and bring in another keeper to compete with Walton for the No.1 spot.
Verdict: Potential sale, but only if he wants to go.
Experienced third-choice keeper David Button is coming to the end of his contract. (Image: Ross Halls)
David Button
2025/26: 0 appearances
Contract: 2026
Ex Brentford and Fulham keeper was brought in last summer to be an experienced third choice keeper and mentor to the younger stoppers at the club. His presence enabled highly-rated young duo Cieran Slicker and Henry Gray to go on loan to League Two clubs Barnet and Harrogate respectively.
Button is 37 now and his one-year deal is coming towards an end. I could see a world where that’s extended by 12 months in order to enable Slicker/Gray to get some more senior experience. There’s also a possibility that one of the aforementioned young duo returns and Button transitions into a coaching role.
Verdict: Could be the experienced third choice again.
Aro Muric has restored his reputation on loan at Serie A club Sassuolo. (Image: PA)
Aro Muric
2025/26: 33 starts on loan at Serie A club Sassuolo
Big Kosovan arrived from freshly relegated Burnley for a £10m fee when Ipswich last stepped up to the Premier League, with data heavily used in his selection. Pep Guardiola had given Muric some chances at Man City and spoke about how good he is with his feet. His Clarets highlights reel included several world class stops but also some high-profile rickets.
There were some good moments in a Blues shirt (MOTM display in 0-0 draw at Brighton), but sadly they were overshadowed by some costly errors (Man City and Brentford away spring to mind) and he was dropped at the turn of the year.
The 27-year-old has renewed his reputation during an impressive season on loan at Serie A club Sassuolo. The Italian club have a buy option of £8.7m, but Muric has told them he doesn’t want to stay due to personal reasons. Juventus and Valencia have been credited with interest.
There’s an argument he deserves a second shot at Town, but I struggle to see that redemption arc. I imagine the Blues will look to recoup the majority of their transfer outlay.
Verdict: Sold to boost the transfer kitty.
Cieran Slicker has enjoyed a fine season on loan at League Two club Barnet. (Image: PA)
Cieran Slicker
2025/26: 44 starts on loan at League Two club Barnet
Former Man City youngster was third-choice keeper for the Championship promotion season of 23/24 and Premier League relegation of 24/25, getting a handful of cup appearances along the way.
The 23-year-old endured a difficult full Scotland debut when suddenly thrust into the spotlight a year ago, but has moved on from that by keeping 15 clean sheets on loan at a Barnet side that just missed out on the League Two play-offs.
Will the 23-year-old return to play the role of back-up once more at Portman Road (and perhaps even be house mates with Liam Delap again)? Personally, I think his development would be better served with another loan spell, this time in League One if the right fit can be found.
Verdict: Loaned out again.