Troy Parrott
Ipswich may be in the best position of the three newly-promoted clubs to make a real fist of it on their return to the top flight.
A 19th-placed finish in 2024-25 did not disgrace the Tractor Boys, nor harm manager Kieran McKenna’s stock much. However, this time around supporters will be hoping to see a little more street-smarts with the benefit of prior experience at this level.
Ipswich lost 27 points from winning positions during their relegation campaign, largely as a result of not being able to put opposition teams away when they had the opportunities. Only Leicester and Southampton scored fewer goals in games they were leading; that all three were eventually relegated shows how vulnerable you can be without having the firepower to make sure of results.
It was Liam Delap who provided the goals last time, 12 of them in the league, but the chances of Ipswich reuniting with their former talisman are remote, even if Delap seems likely to leave Chelsea.
They still have George Hirst, who scored three in the Premier League last time round – but after a modest tally of 11 goals in the Championship, the Scotsman hardly inspires confidence that he can be the main man next year.
Ipswich need a new marksman – and Parrott could be that man.
The Irish striker, once of Tottenham, plays his club football for Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar and scored 31 times in 48 games last season to help his side win the Dutch equivalent of the FA Cup.
Parrott has also become a reliable scorer on the international stage too, with 11 from his 36 caps for the ROI.
Last month, he hinted at leaving his current side, saying he was ready to “take the next step in my career and to play at the highest level”. Go and get him, boys.