Kieran McKenna, manager of Ipswich Town, believes that left-back Leif Davis possesses all of the necessary qualities for Premier League football.
Davis has been a revelation for the Blues since his £1.2 million move from Leeds United in the summer of 2021.
The 24-year-old’s combination of tireless pace, final third calmness, and set-piece quality has helped Town rise from a midtable League One club to third place in the Championship with 13 games remaining.
After providing a league-leading 14 assists in a promotion season, the Newcastle-born full-back has set up 12 goals this season and is only three short of smashing the record set by a defender at this level – Kieran Trippier (Burnley, 13/14) and Barry Douglas (Wolves, 17/18).
Overall, that’s a remarkable 26 assists in 73 league appearances for a player who had only a few senior starts (12) before to Portman Road.
West Ham were said to be interested in Davis last month, and other Premier League clubs will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on a player who is effectively under contract until 2026.
When asked if Davis has the potential to play at a higher level, McKenna responded, “I believe he does. I have no doubts about that.
“He is still a young player, being in his second season of regular senior football. He has a long way to go, a lot to learn and improve on.
“But if you ask me, ‘Has he got the ingredients, the attributes, and the potential to play and do well at the next level?’ The answer is definitely yes.”
MOST CHAMPIONSHIP ASSISTS
12: LEIF DAVIS (Ipswich) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester)
11: Adam Armstrong (Southampton) and Georginio Rutter (Leeds)
9: Abdul Fatawu (Leicester), Gabriel Sara (Norwich), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield)
MOST KEY CHANCES CREATED FROM LONG PASSES
43: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield)
30: Gabriel Sara (Norwich)
27: LEIF DAVISÂ (Ipswich)
19: Kenneth Paal (QPR)
18: Daniel Barlaser (Middlesbrough)
MOST KEY CHANCES CREATED FROM SHORT PASSES
72: Crysencio Summerville (Leeds)
70: Jack Clarke (Sunderland)
64: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester)
62: Georginio Rutter (Leeds)
60: LEIF DAVIS (Ipswich)
