Kieran McKenna on Ipswich's Transfer Plans and Liverpool Clash

Kieran McKenna discusses Ipswich's January transfer window plans, revealing that the club will only make signings that can significantly improve the squad, ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has expressed his excitement about working with new signing Julio Enciso, a talented young player who has already gained valuable experience at a young age. “He's a very talented young player. He's had some great experiences at a young age and had a really good impact at Brighton. It's a good move for both parties and hopefully, it will be a good boost for us,” McKenna said in his latest press conference.

When asked about the possibility of adding a striker to compete with Liam Delap, McKenna remained cautious, suggesting that any new signings would need to have a significant impact on the team. “We'll have to wait and see,” he said. “Look, we'll go to the last day and try to improve the squad in any way possible. We have enough depth in the squad. It's only if we can add players who we think can have a really big impact on the starting 11 or the matchday squad and improve us over the remaining games.”

McKenna emphasized that the club will only make signings that can significantly improve the team, and that he is satisfied with the current squad depth. “If we can do that, we'll do it. If that's not possible we have good depth, everyone's on board and everyone's hungry,” he explained. “When you do your best you can only ever be satisfied. We worked hard in the summer, we're working hard now and we worked hard in between to try and improve the squad as much as we can.”

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has acknowledged the challenges of making significant signings in the January transfer window, particularly for a club like Ipswich that has risen through the ranks. “That's really, really hard to do when you're a club that's come from where we've come from. It's a real challenge and balancing act in so many different things,” McKenna explained. Despite these challenges, McKenna is satisfied with the current state of the squad. “We've got ourselves into a position where we have good depth, a good mix of qualities throughout the squad and a group of players desperate to do well. That's a pretty good place to be.”

McKenna also hinted that the club may still make some additions to the squad before the transfer window closes. “If we can make any further additions who we think can push us to another level then we'll do so, if not then we'll crack on with what we have here,” he said. However, McKenna also acknowledged that some players may be leaving the club, citing conversations between Ali Al-Hamadi and other clubs, as well as the recall of George Edmundson.

Regarding Ipswich's upcoming match against Liverpool, McKenna suggested that there would not be many changes to the starting lineup. “Nothing too drastically different (from last weekend). (Sammie) Szmodics and Conor Chaplin will still fall short. The boys who missed out last week will still be unavailable,” he revealed. When asked about the availability of strikers who meet his requirements, McKenna was candid. “There would be very few, to be honest. Very, very few. I think that's for all signings in January.”

McKenna went on to explain the challenges of making impactful signings in January, particularly at a club like Ipswich that is competing at the highest level. “If you look at two seasons ago, when we were in League One, we brought in Nathan Broadhead, George Hirst, Harry Clarke and Massimo (Luongo) - all players who could come into the team and, within a few weeks, be first 11 players playing every week and dominating at the level. To do that in January, as Ipswich Town (in the Premier League), is impossible. It's not going to happen.”

McKenna emphasized that finding players who can make an immediate impact is extremely difficult. “For a player to come in and settle in that quick, and have that much impact, is not possible. That's as you go up the leagues. Last January we made some signings that had an impact and we'll try and make the best of it again this year.” He also acknowledged the competitive nature of the transfer market. “It's a really competitive market. We're operating now at the very, very top echelons of the game, so players who can come in and improve your team, or even your squad, in season, without a settling-in period, aren't that easy to find.”

Ultimately, McKenna emphasized the importance of focusing on the players already within the squad. “And even with those you think will do, there's still no guarantees. I know January signings are a big story and that supporters want to see them. The players want them to come in, so do the staff. But at the end of the day it's us who are in the building who have the main responsibility to keep pushing us forward.”