Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly inset

Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil hopes to utilise his Chelsea connectionsImago

Sources: Ipswich Town explore Chelsea raid as Gary O'Neil utilises BlueCo connections

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Published on:

28 Jun 2026, 8:00 am

Ipswich Town are exploring multiple deals to sign Chelsea youngsters on this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The newly-promoted Premier League side hope to utilise Gary O'Neil's connections with the London giants, after he spent the second half of the season in charge of their sister club Strasbourg.

The 43-year-old replaced Liam Rosenior in January and led his side to finish eighth in Ligue 1 before leaving to replace Kieran McKenna at Portman Road this week.

Former Bournemouth and Wolves boss O'Neil oversaw the development of several Chelsea youngsters during his six months with Strasbourg.

A number of those bright talents will go out on loan once more this summer, as well as other young players.

The arrival of new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso may complicate matters, however, with his decision on senior exits to be final.

Gary O'Neil is the new Manager of Ipswich Town Football Club. 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ZD6cxicPtO
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) June 23, 2026

Ipswich Town to target Chelsea youngsters

Five Chelsea youngsters spent the season, or part of it, on loan at Strasbourg.

Twenty-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders spent the entirety of the campaign in France, and enjoyed a superb campaign.

His value has risen exponentially over the year, and the Belgian may well spend next season on the bench for Chelsea.

Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr spent very little time under the management of O'Neil, with the former joining River Plate and the latter returning to Chelsea.

Sarr may well be a target this summer, however, amid the Blues' pursuit of Maxence Lacroix.

David Datro Fofana has had a string of loans since joining Chelsea in 2023, and could be a target for Ipswich.

Aaron Anselmino made just three appearances after joining Strasbourg in January, suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out for the remainder.

Sources: Ipswich Town explore deal for West Ham's Max Kilman

Further Chelsea youngsters to be on Ipswich's target list

Not only can O'Neil hope to attract the youngsters he has already worked with, the former Strasbourg manager may well have proven his ability to provide the right guidance to Chelsea's youngsters.

The likes of Marc Guiu and Dario Essugo could also be in need of loans, and would provide some level of Premier League experience.

Ipswich will have to strike the right balance this summer, however, with a mix of experience and youth needed.

The Tractor Boys will attempt to establish their Premier League status, a year after they were relegated.

Liam Rosenior