Ipswich Town should use Chelsea connection to sign emerging defender if promoted: View | OneFootball

The 2023/24 campaign has been a season to remember for Ipswich Town fans, with the club currently sitting in first place with just three games left to play.

Having been promoted out of League One last year with an astonishing 98 points, very few at Portman Road would have foreseen what was to come this season. Despite being highly tipped to finish in and around the playoffs, their ability to remain in a title race against two phenomenal teams in Leeds and Leicester has been truly remarkable.

Should Ipswich complete back-to-back promotions, whether via the automatics or the play-off picture, the club would be in an excellent position to continue to build their relationship with Chelsea and attempt to sign young defender Alfie Glichrist on loan.

Alfie Gilchrist: The next John Terry

This season has seen Gilchrist afforded a number of opportunities at first team level for Chelsea, and from his first minute he has won the hearts of Blues fans. Despite only having limited game time, the passion he has shown was evident from his debut against Crystal Palace, in which he put in a number of brave challenges to help preserve a 2-1 win.

For the Stamford Bridge faithful, they have begun to liken the under 21's captain to the legendary John Terry who, similarly to Gilchrist, emerged from the academy at a young age.

Terry, who made 717 appearances for Chelsea, and is still heavily involved with the club, had this to say about Gilchrist when asked about the most exciting player in the club's academy currently: "Alfie Gilchrist, he's a really, really good player. He's got an unbelievable attitude. He's been at the club since the age of eight."

Speaking about his future, he added: "I think we spoke about the young players going on loan and I think Alfie's next step is to go on loan next season, and then you should see how he does."

Ipswich the perfect fit

With Chelsea clearly holding Gilchrist in the highest regard and their need to loan him out to a first division side for his development next year, Ipswich could be provided an ideal opportunity.

As the Tractor Boys are currently the Championship's top scorers, the need for a resilient defence has been less of a requirement for Kieran McKenna's side this season. But, as promotion beckons, Ipswich will know that it is unlikely that their forwards will be quite as fruitful in the Premier League, placing more pressure on solidity.

For Portman Road duo Cameron Burgess and Luke Woolfenden to carry on their meteoric rise up the divisions would be some story and Gilchrist would be the perfect addition to play alongside them. Whether McKenna plays the 20-year-old instead of Axel Tuanzebe at right back or in place of Burgess or Woolfenden, the top level experience he has gained under Mauricio Pochettino would hold Ipswich in good stead.

Having played the majority of his minutes in the FA Cup this season, the youngster's high ranking in the competition for interceptions, blocks and recoveries would be of note to the Ipswich scouts. Along with this, his stats for passing rank among the top 85th percentile, which would be of great use for McKenna's style of play.

Not only does this transfer make sense in terms of a player suiting a club, but the recent success of Omari Hutchinson during his loan at Portman Road would surely encourage Chelsea's hierarchy to grant the move.

During Hutchinson's time at the club, he has managed eight goals and five assists in all competitions and will seemingly be in place for a shot at a misfiring Chelsea team ahead of next season. For Blues fans, the opportunity to see a bond built with a rising club such as Ipswich is one that must be exciting and should Gilchrist get the opportunity to play under McKenna's stewardship it would undoubtedly see a marked improvement in his overall game.