There’s no denying that Ipswich Town have had a phenomenal season in the Championship, breaking club records as they look to become the first team since 2012 to achieve back-to-back promotion.
The Tractor Boys currently sit third in the SkyBet Championship, just one point behind Leeds United who hold the top spot, eight points clear of Southampton in fourth, and 20 points clear of rivals Norwich, who sit in sixth.
There are nine players currently at the club who may not have their contracts extended, seeing them depart the Suffolk-based side for good.
Christian Walton:
The Brighton academy graduate signed for Ipswich permanently in January 2022, after impressing on loan for the first half of the 2021/22 season. The goalkeeper has appeared 88 times in his Ipswich career, keeping 39 clean sheets in the process. He also broke a club record in the 2021/22 season after playing for 592 minutes without conceding a goal.
It would be a surprise to see Walton leave Ipswich in the summer. Despite the lack of playing time following an injury in pre-season, he is still considered a top-quality goalkeeper, and someone that must still be in Kieran McKenna’s plans. If anything were to happen to current first-choice Vaclav Hladky, it would comfort Town fans to know they still have the Englishman in their ranks.
Vaclav Hladky:
Hladky signed for Ipswich in June 2021 from Salford City for an undisclosed fee, after an impressive season for The Ammies. Hladky had to wait a while for his first-choice spot at Ipswich, standing as number two for Tomas Holy and Walton. After Walton suffered a foot injury in pre-season, however, Hladky made his wait worthwhile, as he became the club’s starting ‘keeper for their return to the Championship. The Czech has become a fan-favourite, playing all 38 league games so far this season, keeping 12 clean sheets in the meantime.
This is a player you’d imagine the club will fight to keep. Despite his shaky start, he has learnt to be more composed whilst on the ball and has been Town’s saviour on some occasions. Despite being 33, the Tractor Boys will look at his success this season and know that they can trust him if they are in danger at the back.
Janoi Donacien:
Donacien signed for Ipswich on a permanent deal in 2019 from Accrington Stanley, after impressing on loan for the Blues in the 2018/19 season. His original deal was due to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season, but the club offered him a new contract, which lasted until the summer of 2023, with a one-year extension if the club wanted to use it. They chose to after his success last season, and he has struggled to prove himself this year.
After sustaining an injury away to Sunderland on the first game of the season, the Saint Lucian international hasn’t been able to fight his way back into the squad, with both Harry Clarke and Axel Tuanzebe favoured over him. The defender is a versatile option, playing as either a right-back in a defensive four or as a right-sided centre-back in a back three.
Despite his versatility and experience, Donacien is unlikely to have another contract offered to him. The 30-year-old is past his prime years and is not in favour of a flurry of versatile full-backs. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him shipped off, with the potential to be an asset for a League One or League Two club.
Cameron Burgess:
The Australian international has been a real boost for McKenna’s side at the back and has been the perfect partner to youth graduate Luke Woolfenden. Burgess signed for the Blues from Accrington Stanley in August 2021. The 28-year-old has appeared 99 times in all competitions for Town, including 32 appearances in all competitions so far. Burgess missed out on the whole of January, a month in which Ipswich only won one league fixture (2-1 v Sunderland).
There is a one-year extension that Ipswich have the choice of using at the end of this season, depending on whether they want to keep him. As one of the first-choice centre-backs, it would be a surprise if his contract isn’t extended. If he were to leave, he would be scooped up by another top-level Championship club.
Axel Tuanzebe:
The 26-year-old was a shock signing when announced by Ipswich in September. The former Manchester United player left the Red Devils in the summer of 2023 and was a free agent until picked up by Kieran McKenna. It took time for the DR Congo player to make an appearance for the club, with his first start coming as a centre-back in South Yorkshire against Rotherham. More recently, the defender has picked up roles in the right back spot, giving him more freedom to roam whilst still attaining his defensive ability.
Axel Tuanzebe has a one-year extension in his contract, which Ipswich are likely to trigger. Tuanzebe is still young and is still likely to hit prime years, much to the excitement of Ipswich fans.
Before January, Tuanzebe was a benchwarmer who struggled to break through, but after being given his chance, he has shown his true potential and has become important to Ipswich’s rise in form. It would be surprising to see him become a free agent again this summer.
Dominic Ball:
Dom Ball signed a contract with Ipswich in June 2022, following his contract expiring with QPR. The defensive midfielder was signed by Kieran McKenna following his time in West London and has featured 34 times for the Suffolk-based side. Injuries have hindered his time at Ipswich, missing out on 18 League One matches last season with a knee injury.
It is unlikely for Ball to sign a new deal at Ipswich. Despite his quality, Ipswich has a lot of depth in the midfield position, and after bringing in the likes of Jack Taylor and Lewis Travis on loan, Ball is only taking steps backwards. The 28-year-old still has a lot to offer, and it could be best for him to make a move in the summer.
Sam Morsy:
Arguably Ipswich’s most valuable asset for the past few years, Sam Morsy is facing an uncertain future with Town yet to offer him a new contract. The Egyptian midfielder signed for Ipswich from Middlesborough on deadline day 2021, and his first action was being named club captain.
Morsy has played 34 of the 38 league games this season and scored some crucial goals, including one late on at home to title rivals Leicester City. Morsy has featured 127 times in all competitions for Ipswich since his debut against West Ham U21’s in the EFL Trophy first round.
Sam Morsy has got to be offered a new contract before the end of the season. A player who has been so important for the Tractor Boys over the last three years must be considered a priority to keep. Despite being 32 years old, he still has composure in the midfield, and his leadership both on and off the pitch has a huge impact on the rest of the squad.
Sone Aluko:
Formerly of Hull and Fulham, Sone Aluko has been at Ipswich since 2021 and has featured 62 times in all competitions. In his first season for Ipswich, the Nigerian played 36 games in attacking midfield roles, scoring three times in total.
Last season, Aluko signed a new deal which would see him at the club for the 2023/24 season. Aluko’s debut came against Wimbledon in League One action, a game in which Ipswich drew 2-2. His first goals came in October in a draw against Cambridge, where Aluko scored a brace to clinch a 2-2 draw.
It is unlikely that Aluko sees himself signing another contract for next season. The attacking midfielder is now 35 and is far past his prime. Only featuring in seven games in all competitions this season, Aluko is unlikely to find himself in Suffolk next season. Instead, he may find himself playing for a League One or League Two side.
Kayden Jackson:
Kayden Jackson signed for Ipswich in Summer 2018, with the striker featuring for Town the season they were relegated from the Championship. Although he only scored three times, he showed a lot of potential and was liked by fans.
Nowadays, Jackson has been moved from his orthodox striker role to a wing-back or right winger as a backup to winger Wes Burns. This season, Jackson has featured 24 times, usually from the bench. In that time, he has scored three times and assisted four times.
Despite playing so many minutes, he has fallen out of favour with Town fans, with many feeling as though he doesn’t have the clinical edge necessary to be at the level Ipswich are.
Ipswich won’t be expected to offer a new contract to the attacker. Despite how often he has been used this season, Town will likely pick up a new addition in the summer who can play in these positions.
What’s next for Ipswich Town?
Whether they reach the Premier League or not, Town could find themselves without nine players next season. If they were to lose these players, there would need to be a big rebuild in the summer, which could change their fortune come next season, whatever division they play in.