Ashton admits that their previous Premier League season highlighted the importance of recruiting more dynamic players who offer a broader range of physical qualities.
The midfield struggled for strength and ball-recovery skills in 2024-25, so new signings Florentino Luis and Sasa Lukic must quickly make an impact. Both have considerable experience at the top level, and their contribution could be crucial because regular starters Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor are doubtful for the opening fixture after undergoing summer surgery.
O’Neil’s desire to add more attacking threat is understandable, as no Ipswich player registered more than 10 goals from open play in the Championship last season.
The Blues set a new club transfer record by signing 22-year-old Brazilian striker Emersonn for an initial £24m. Although he possesses the physical characteristics they are looking for, he remains relatively inexperienced. He only became a regular starter at Toulouse last season, scoring seven times in 31 matches, including 22 starts.
Maeda, an energetic player capable of operating as a forward or winger, produced an impressive return at Celtic with 79 goals in 212 appearances. However, he is unlikely to receive as many scoring opportunities in a side expected to fight against relegation.
The Suffolk club have also added two Dutch goalkeepers to their squad. One of them is Kjell Scherpen, whose remarkable height of 6ft 9in (2.06m) puts him in line to become the tallest footballer ever to play in the Premier League.
With a new head coach appointed and the £30m renovation of their training facilities nearing completion, Ipswich may be approaching a pivotal season. The main question is whether their recruitment will help them remain in the top flight for consecutive campaigns for the first time in 25 years.
Just three newly promoted teams have spent more during a summer transfer window: Sunderland in 2025, Nottingham Forest in 2022 and Aston Villa in 2019. Each of those clubs managed to avoid relegation.
However, Fulham, Southampton, Burnley and Ipswich have all invested similar amounts in recent seasons before being relegated back to the Championship. Spending at this level is increasingly becoming a basic requirement for competing rather than a reliable assurance of survival.
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