Town midfielder Jens Cajuste is embracing the challenge of playing in English football for the first time in his career and feels he is consistently improving in the Premier League.
Cajuste joined the Blues in the summer on a season-long loan from Italian giants Napoli and has featured in four of Town’s league matches this season, starting twice.
The midfielder is likely to partner Sam Morsy against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend with Jack Taylor injured and Kalvin Phillips missing through suspension.
Despite the Blues being yet to register a victory so far this season, Cajuste says the experience of playing in the Premier League is one that he has savoured, also highlighting the differences between life in Suffolk and life in Italy.
"It’s been amazing so far and a great experience,” he said. "Every game is very exciting. I’ve been enjoying it, definitely.
"I’m not so sure if I had a specific vision, but I had an expectation that it would be a tough and competitive league and that’s exactly what I’ve seen so far. Every game is a battle and every game can go either way it feels like, that’s what I’ve seen.
"For me, I’m still thinking about the Premier League games and the intensity and excitement, it’s some of the most exciting football I’ve played in. It’s week in, week out, so that’s what I’ve really been impressed by. I’m really excited about looking forward for the season as well.
"It’s a bit different but I really do enjoy it. It’s nice and calm here compared to Naples where it’s a bit more hectic, I must admit. I really enjoy it, everything around not just football but also outside of it. It’s a big difference but I see the beauty in where I’m at.”
Cajuste may have had more minutes to his name this season had it not been for a knee problem which kept him out for around a month before returning for the game against Brentford.
Asked if he had some frustration, he said: "Of course, but this is football. Injuries, you cannot predict them and you just have to deal with them when they happen and do the best you can to prevent them.”
When the midfielder arrived at Portman Road in August, it was reported that the deal with Napoli included a mandatory buy option if the Blues were to avoid relegation.
"It’s not really in my hands, of course it depends on results,” Cajuste said. "We’ll have to wait and see, it’s nothing I can comment on right now.
"I’m very happy, the club has been fantastic in welcoming me and I’m very happy here. Everything around the club has been very good, that’s all I can say right now.”
Upon signing, Cajuste said he loved a ‘good old fashioned British slide tackle’, something which he maintains and says the English style of football suits his game perfectly.
The 25-year-old was also full of praise for manager Kieran McKenna and his staff, who he credits with helping him settle into the club from the moment he arrived in England.
He said: "I think he’s done a great job and I’ve felt welcomed since I came here on day one. I definitely feel like I’m getting better and making improvements.
"It’s not only the manager but all the staff around as well as the teammates, it’s really been a great introduction to English football.
"I feel like I’ve definitely improved and there are elements in this league that are a step above any other league I’ve been to so far.
"There’s definitely room for improvement and I will get better with time and more minutes on the pitch, but I do feel like it suits my type of football very well.”
Brentford were also linked with Cajuste’s services over the summer, with the Bees understood to have conducted a medical before pulling out of the deal due to the midfielder’s ongoing knee problems.
"There was some discussions about knees. I don’t really dig into the details, but it didn’t go through,” he said on his summer speculation.
"I’m happy with how it’s turned out, I’m really happy to be here and the more I’ve got to see Ipswich for the club I’m really happy to be here.”
Cajuste’s knee issue is also at the forefront of the decision by the Swedish national team to not select the Town man for the upcoming matches against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.
Having previously won 25 caps for his country, Cajuste says the club and the national side have decided it is best for the midfielder to remain at Playford Road to manage the issue.
He said: "It has to do with my knee having to find the right solution to deal with it for the best longevity and to manage it the best possible way for me to have a good season and a long run of games without any troubles.
"That’s been the mutual decision between the national team and the club. It has nothing to do with future selections, it’s just the current selections.”
On Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson playing him at full-back on occasions previously, Cajuste added: "I’ve played a little bit of right-back in different teams when needed. It’s not my natural position, of course, but I’ve done it when called for.
"It was a situation when there was no other left-back on the pitch and I believe one of the players was starting to cramp up and I was the best option. It wasn’t anything other than that.
"That was probably a normal reaction, I was a little bit surprised. I’ll do whatever job is needed in the moment so it’s nothing crazy. It’s definitely not [a long-term option] and I don’t think he sees that either.”