With this prospective new signing, Ipswich Town will attempt to duplicate their spectacular Omari Hutchinson deal. Ipswich Town will be relieved by recent developments concerning Kieran McKenna, with the in-demand Tractor Boys manager now expected to extend his stay in Suffolk by signing a new contract rather than spreading his wings and moving abroad. McKenna was previously in contention for the Chelsea vacancy, among other high-profile positions, before Enzo Maresca emerged as the overwhelming favourite from fellow promoted outfit Leicester City. McKenna will now want to press on and begin adding new players to the ranks at Portman Road, away from wild speculation about his future.
The 38-year-old hot property could even be tempted to raid Chelsea this summer to boost the attacking spots at Ipswich, potentially replicating the masterstroke loan deal of Omari Hutchinson in the process, whilst also replacing the out-going source of goals in Kieffer Moore – who is now back at AFC Bournemouth after a short but sweet stint in Suffolk.
Ipswich eyeing up £40k-per-week attacker
A report from the Express recently suggested that Chelsea could slash the excessive £50m price tag once put above Armando Broja’s head which might encourage Ipswich to go after his services, especially with their newly acquired Premier League cash after promotion It won’t be straightforward for McKenna’s men to win a deal for the £40k-per-week-man however, with the likes of AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund interested from Europe alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United based in the top-flight also being keen. Broja could be Hutchinson 2.0
Excelling in the Chelsea youth set-up before eventually going on to make 38 senior appearances for the Blues, the 22-year-old could well view what McKenna managed to get out of Hutchinson – who also starred at youth level for Chelsea – at Portman Road as a key factor in getting a move done to relocate to Ipswich over other suitors..
Hutchinson has 11 goals this season for his promoted loan side from the wings, while Broja has to find his clinical edge in front of goal, which saw him score nine times for previous employers Southampton in just one Premier League season in 2022.
The goal 💫
The celebration 😍@armandobroja9's strike against #WHUFC has been named as #EmiratesFACup Goal of the Fifth Round: pic.twitter.com/hIfa3EXS5G— Southam(P)ton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 16, 2022
If McKenna can get the 6’3 attacker back on track following a disastrous move to Fulham that resulted in eight goalless games, he might replace the void left by Moore, who briefly starred in the Championship alongside Hutchinson.
Why Broja is the best Moore substitute.
Broja, who is similar in stature to the Welshman and stands at 6 feet 5 inches, will hope to be a sufficient substitute for the prolific journeyman if signed.
Moore would score an outstanding seven goals in just 18 Championship games for his short-term employers, assisting them in their promotion campaign, before returning to the South Coast shortly after celebrating promotion to the Premier League.
While Moore is more of a poacher-style figure whenever he is selected up front for his various teams, frequently using his imposing frame to beat players and score, Broja’s tricky ball skills could suit the likes of Nathan Broadhead and Conor Chaplin even more at Portman Road.
When comparing the two on FBref during the last year, Broja outperformed Moore in terms of successful take-ons and progressive passes received, averaging 2.49 take-ons and 7.31 progressive passes per 90 minutes, compared to the Welshman’s 0.47 and 6.39. Broja has already been described as a “animal” by the Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell at his goalscoring heyday at the Saints, and Ipswich could be the venue where he deserves this name once more, having witnessed firsthand the transformative impact McKenna had on Hutchinson.
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