x

McCarthy: Webster Will Play in the Premier League - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy believes summer signing Adam Webster will go on to play in the Premier League. The 21-year-old, who joined the Blues from Portsmouth in July for £700,000 plus Matt Clarke who moved in the opposite direction, was widely viewed as the man of the match in Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa.

"He’ll go on and play in the Premier League,” McCarthy said. "Hopefully it’s with us, if not it’ll be with somebody else because he’s quick and he can handle the ball.

"Maybe in another team, at Portsmouth he would have been asked to get it and play a bit more, and he can do that.

"We saw that when he played against us [for Pompey in the FA Cup last season], he’s a very capable footballer and he hasn’t done that as much.

"But I think that’s because he’s come up two divisions and he’s learning his trade again.

"What I love about him is he’s bought into our defensive side of the game and he’s got better and better. I’m really pleased with him.”

He added: "He’s a good player, I keep saying that. That’s what I like about him more than anything, his defending. We know he can play, he’s a very talented footballer.”

We understand West Wittering-born Webster’s performance at the weekend caught the eye of watching Premier League scouts, which is not something which would surprise McCarthy.

"People will be watching him, there’s no doubt about that because he can defend but he’s very comfortable with the ball,” he continued. "He can break forward, he’s got two good feet, he’ll play in the Premier League.”

The Town boss spent more money on the 6ft 3in tall former England U18 and U19 international than any other player since he joined the Blues and he says that as a result it’s particularly gratifying to see the move working out.

"It’s always nice, especially if you’ve gone and spent money on them and they turn out to be good," he said.

"If you’re taking free transfers in all the time and Bosmans then you are taking a chance because generally for some reason that’s what they are, but that’s the most we’ve spent on a player. But, to be fair, it looks like it, he’s a good guy.”

What to read next:

U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.