Ipswich Town: Axel Tuanzebe says Manchester City star is toughest foe
Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe has faced some of the best attacking players on the planet this season – but says there’s one who stands out.
When fit, cultured defender Tuanzebe has been Town’s starting right back, playing 18 games in the top tier against the likes of Liverpool threat Luiz Diaz, Brighton ace Karou Mitoma, Manchester City’s electrifying Jeremy Doku and Spurs star Son Heung-min.
And, asked who his toughest opponent has been this season, Tuanzebe was quick to pick one over all the others.
“Good question,” he replied. “Every game has been a pretty difficult game. I’d probably say Doku, he’s just electric – first five yards, you make a mistake and he’s gone.
“That’s a game where you have to stay at 100% throughout. If you get tired or a little niggle and you can’t push off as quickly, you know you’re in danger with Doku.
“Very physical, and even mentally he’s very smart. He’s one of these players where I think… like Neymar – not that I’m comparing him to Neymar – but you get these players where no matter what you do, they adapt to that.
“So they’re not actually thinking about what they’re doing, they’re just adapting to what you do.
“That is the very pinnacle of football, and he’s flirting with that.”
Doku, 22, has scored six goals in 29 games for City this season, including one in their 6-0 thrashing of Town at Portman Road in January.
He cost City £55.4m when they bought him from Rennes in August 2023.
Ipswich Town: Liam Delap avoids two-match ban after Chelsea draw
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has avoided a two-match ban following Sunday’s 2-2 draw away at Chelsea.
Players who pick up 10 yellow cards by matchday 32 are given a Premier League suspension, which Delap was at risk of hitting.
The 22-year-old was given his ninth booking of the season in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on February 26th, having rammed into Manuel Ugarte towards the end of the match.
However, he was able to walk a yellow-card tightrope over the course of five games, starting four and coming on as a substitute in one.
As a result, Delap won’t be hit with a suspension if he does pick up a 10th yellow card, nor will Sam Morsy, who was given his ninth of the campaign at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Delap did miss the 4-0 home defeat to Newcastle United back in December after receiving his fifth yellow card, resulting in a one-match ban.
Any player who reaches 15 in one season will face a three-match suspension, while 20 results in a misconduct charge from the FA.
