Hutchinson 2.0: Ipswich to replace Enciso with “fearless” 20 y/o who studied at Eton
Hutchinson 2.0: Ipswich to replace Enciso with “fearless” 20 y/o who studied at Eton
Not everything was rosy come the full-time whistle for Ipswich Town away at Aston Villa last weekend, with Julio Enciso’s injury against Unai Emery’s men looking rather serious.
Unfortunately, the Paraguayan attacking midfielder would look visibly emotional when having to hobble off the pitch after just 17 minutes, with a knee injury suffered by the loanee in the same knee that had required surgery when back at parent employers Brighton and Hove Albion.
Whilst everyone at Portman Road waits with bated breath over how severe of a setback this might be – amid claims that he is set for a spell on the sidelines – Kieran McKenna will be tasked with placing someone else into his XI up next down the left flank with some options at his disposal.
McKenna’s attacking alternatives
Enciso was also of use to McKenna away from just bolstering the left-hand side of his team, with the South American also offering Ipswich another body capable of playing as a number ten alongside Omari Hutchinson.
Without Enciso, the popular Ipswich manager will have to put his faith in alternative faces, with Jack Clarke the preferred option off the bench last time out in the unfortunate 21-year-old’s place.
The ex-Sunderland man has shown flashes of his brilliance this season – with two assists coming his way in the Premier League – but he failed to spark into life against the Villans, having also been hauled off when the Tractor Boys were reduced to ten men.
There are also the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Nathan Broadhead who McKenna could throw into action here, alongside flashy new recruit Jaden Philogene-Bidace.
However, both Szmodics and Broadhead have battled with their own injury issues so far this season, whilst Philogene remained rooted to the bench at Villa Park having endured three goalless games so far in Suffolk.
Therefore, the Northern Irishman could be prepared to think outside of the box to fill in for Enciso, with this 20-year-old gem in question having the potential to be the club’s next Hutchinson.
Ipswich’s wildcard Enciso replacement
The unconventional route explored by McKenna here could see him look towards the U21 squad as one unusual star continues to stick out.
Indeed, not every footballer attempting to cut their teeth in the men’s game has an Eton-based education to hand, but that is the case when it comes to 20-year-old prospect Tudor Mendel-Idowu.
Mendel-Idowu has since walked away from the Blues to take up a new opportunity at Ipswich – via a fresh adventure out in Belgium with Anderlecht – with the exciting attacker making a name for himself in recent U21 contests in Suffolk.
Having fired home 13 strikes from 35 U18 appearances at Chelsea, Mendel-Idowu has now taken to the U21 fold at Ipswich swimmingly, with plenty of strikes coming his way across his side’s past few Professional Development League encounters.
| Mendel-Idowu’s goalscoring form for Ipswich U21’s (last six games) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Final score | Goals scored |
| Cardiff City | 5-1 W | 1 |
| Watford | 2-0 L | 0 |
| Charlton Athletic | 5-1 L | 0 |
| Watford | 4-2 W | 2 |
| Bristol City | 4-3 L | 0 |
| Brentford | 5-2 L | 0 |
| Stats by Sofascore | ||
Across his side’s last six games, Mendel-Idowu – who U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed has “electrifying acceleration” and “fearless charisma” – has positively had an impact on both victories being secured with three goals next to his name.
Therefore, there will be a hope on the 20-year-old’s end that he can follow in fellow Chelsea academy graduate Hutchinson’s footsteps soon, with the 21-year-old going on to be a shining light in the senior ranks at Ipswich by picking up two goals and two assists this season in league action, having also left Stamford Bridge behind.
Capable of playing down both wings and in the number ten spot – much like Enciso – time will only tell if McKenna is willing to gamble on the promising youngster to come good or whether he’ll stick with what he currently has.
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