This week the tussle between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town, who meet in the curtain-raiser on Friday, to sign Chuba Akpom – the runaway top scorer in the division with Middlesbrough three years ago (Viktor Gyökeres was runner-up) – was tantamount to both sides taking it in turns to flex their muscles. Despite a sole Premier League win this calendar year, Ipswich were relegated with more decorum than Leicester City and Southampton and Kieran McKenna’s side are armed to attack the second tier, even if Omari Hutchinson joins Liam Delap in departing.
The 40-year-old Ashley Young, who worked with McKenna at Manchester United, looks a smart pickup and consistency can help Ipswich to flourish. Birmingham, meanwhile, are aiming to repeat a feat last achieved by Ipswich in winning successive promotions and have not been shy in reinforcing Chris Davies’s squad, but there is also momentum from a record-breaking season. Leicester are at risk of a points deduction but their new head coach, Martí Cifuentes, took 32 players on the pre-season tour to Austria and has the tools to overpower opponents. The landscape of his squad will probably look different next month – the same applies at Southampton where a flurry of departures are expected – but, unlike last season, neither are likely to be caught short. For Will Still, the returning Gavin Bazunu and Shea Charles could be key pillars at Saints.
Eleven teams have changed managers since the end of last season – 15 since the turn of the year – but few transitions were as messy as Rúben Selles replacing Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, playoff finalists last season. Selles, who has reunited with Louie Barry, with whom he worked at Hull City last season, has the bones of a strong squad but will need to hit the ground running to win over the Bramall Lane faithful. One of those coaches who arrived midway through last campaign will fancy his chances of kicking on: Frank Lampard revived Coventry City, driving them into the playoffs. The arrival of the goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, on loan from Brighton, addresses a problem position, though they are short of a prolific goalscorer – the Gyökeres sell-on fee may help.
Playoff hopefuls
Millwall felt an uplift after Alex Neil was appointed last December and his team are primed to go close again after finishing eighth last season, with Alfie Doughty their standout summer signing. Derby County could be dark horses under John Eustace, who has proven his ability as a shrewd manager at this level and plans to fuse experience with youth; Rhian Brewster, 25, could prove a revelation if he can rediscover his goalscoring touch after joining on a free. Whether West Bromwich Albion mix it under Ryan Mason, as he begins his first permanent job as a No 1, may hinge on their marquee summer signing Aune Heggebø firing after arriving from Brann.
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