How Ipswich Town’s starting XI could look after Chuba Akpom news - it is bad news for Birmingham hero | OneFootball

FLW lists what Ipswich Town’s starting XI may be after the signing of forward Chuba Akpom

Ipswich Town will be aiming to pick up their first victory of the 2025-26 Championship season when they host Southampton at Portman Road this coming Sunday afternoon.

Despite being second best for the majority of their opening weekend clash at Birmingham City, the Tractor Boys picked up an important point, as George Hirst’s stoppage-time penalty canceled out Jay Stansfield’s opener at a raucous St Andrew’s.

Viewed as one of the trickier fixtures on the calendar, Kieran McKenna will have been delighted to get something out of a game that his team so badly struggled in, but there will be no let down in test when Will Still’s Saints travel to Suffolk.

Meanwhile, in the summer transfer window, Ipswich have brought six players into the building so far, with ex-Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom ending an incredible saga to link up at Portman Road.

After being set to join Birmingham City and touted with a reunion with Boro, Akpom eventually sealed a move to Ipswich on a season-long loan from Ajax.

With this in mind, Football League World lists what the Ipswich Town XI may look like now Akpom is in the Ipswich squad.

Alex Palmer should be the first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season given his previous second-tier experience at West Brom.

The shot-stopper previously earned the Championship golden glove while at the Baggies during the 2023-24 season after keeping 18 clean sheets, something he’ll be hoping to replicate to deliver promotion back to the Premier League.

10 RB: Ben Johnson

With age on his side, Ben Johnson should play the majority of games during this campaign, although he’ll be kept on his toes by the vastly experienced Ashley Young.

This position could see some rotation when the midweek fixtures swing around, but Johnson should be preferred as he should be better equipped to take on the relentless nature of the Championship.

Similarly to Alex Palmer, newly-appointed captain Dara O’Shea has proven himself to be a reliable defender at this level from his time at The Hawthorns, racking up 68 second-tier appearances in the blue and white stripes.

O’Shea’s leadership and ability to organise the backline are two valuable qualities he possesses, and he should be a crucial part of any promotion push this term.

The towering Jacob Greaves should continue to partner O’Shea at the heart of defence.

Despite being quite fortunate to see Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal ruled out in the West Midlands, Greaves will be hopeful of using his experience at Hull City to his advantage over the course of the other 45 games.

If Greaves can add some goals as well as maintain his defensive duties, then he will be a top player to have at this level.

7 LB: Leif Davis

Leif Davis is a player being linked with a move away from Portman Road this summer, but if he stays, he will undoubtedly retain his place in the XI this season.

The full-back is the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, but Ipswich will be reluctant to sell given the ACL injury to Conor Townsend.

With little competition in that area now, Davis should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Jack Taylor was part of a midfield that got given the run around by Birmingham City, but he is set to retain his place for now given their lack of options in that department.

Cameron Humphreys is his current competition, but while he is still learning the trade at this level, Taylor should be given further opportunities to shine.

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Azor Matusiwa was also given a tough introduction to English football following his £7.8m move from Rennes.

He will adapt to the rough and tumble of the Championship though as the season goes on, and likewise to Taylor, should get a lot more games to showcase his quality.

It is a big if for Omari Hutchinson to stay at Ipswich Town, but if he does, he will be their creative focal point.

Hutchinson is also being eyed by Nottingham Forest, but the Tractor Boys have rejected a £35m bid for Hutchinson, who, interestingly, did not feature in the club's final pre-season outing against Auxerre as he "didn't feel mentally in the right place".

If he stays at Portman Road, then he will be a danger to many Championship defences given his exploits in the 2023-24 season, where he netted 10 times and provided six assists from 44 outings.

This transfer saga could be the difference maker in whether Ipswich get back to the big time at the first attempt, with his presence on the right flank desperately missed at St Andrew’s.

Ipswich do, however, have Jaden Philogene waiting in the wings, although the ex-Cardiff City and Hull starlet is currently sidelined with injury.

It’s been a tough start to life at Ipswich Town for Jack Clarke, but he is a player who can thrive at this level and be a dangerous attacking outlet.

The 24-year-old was previously one of the most dangerous wingers in the Championship while at Sunderland, notably scoring 15 times for the Black Cats two seasons ago.

Despite struggling on the opening night to make an impact, Clarke needs an injection of confidence, and if he can find that, then he should be a regular starter to cause havoc.

Sammie Szmodics is another player who needs to rediscover his shooting boots, and if he can capture the form that saw him scoop the Championship Golden Boot award for Blackburn Rovers in 2023-24, then Ipswich will definitely be pushing towards the top ends of the Championship table.

Getting off the mark will be crucial for the attacking midfielder, who could dazzle in a free-flowing and dominating Ipswich side.