Ipswich Town have returned to the Premier League after securing promotion this season, and manager Kieran McKenna now faces the challenge of reshaping the squad to ensure they are competitive enough to avoid an immediate relegation back to the Championship.
Looking at other promoted sides such as Sunderland and Leeds United, who have managed to establish themselves in the top flight, there is a clear lesson for Ipswich: sentimentality cannot stand in the way of progress. The club will likely need to prioritise players with proven Premier League ability or strong top-flight experience, even if that means moving on from members of the promotion-winning squad.
While some players have already shown they can perform at the highest level, many of those who played key roles in Ipswich’s rise may struggle to make the step up. One such example is Anis Mehmeti, who only joined the club less than five months ago but could already find himself on the outskirts of McKenna’s plans.
Mehmeti signed for Ipswich from Bristol City in January for around £3 million, a relatively low fee given he was in the final six months of his contract. At the time, he had impressed in the Championship, registering eight goals and six assists in the first half of the season. He initially carried that form into his Ipswich spell, scoring twice in his first five starts.
However, his impact faded significantly in the latter part of the season. He failed to contribute any goals or assists after February and started only three of the final eight matches. Because of this decline in influence, Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin believes Mehmeti is unlikely to be part of the club’s Premier League plans.
According to Wilkin, Mehmeti was primarily signed to add depth for the closing stages of the season rather than as a long-term Premier League solution. While he had a strong start, his drop-off suggests he may not be ready for top-flight demands.
Despite signing a long-term contract running until 2029, Mehmeti’s future at Portman Road now appears uncertain. Rather than being sold outright, the most likely outcome is a loan move back to the Championship. This would allow him to gain regular playing time, rebuild confidence, and potentially either return to Ipswich in better form or maintain his market value for a future sale.
Wilkin also suggested that Mehmeti’s situation reflects Ipswich’s broader approach this summer, as the club may need to be ruthless in deciding which players are capable of stepping up to Premier League level. Others who have fluctuated between starting roles this season could also face uncertain futures if the squad is strengthened significantly.
Ultimately, Ipswich’s handling of Mehmeti will be an early indicator of how strict and pragmatic they intend to be in the transfer market. If the club are serious about staying in the Premier League, they may need to prioritise upgrades over loyalty to recently promoted players, even those who contributed to their success.
For now, Mehmeti looks set to attract interest from Championship clubs, where he would likely be seen as a strong addition for teams aiming for promotion.
