Marcelino Núñez is beginning to show exactly why Ipswich Town were willing to invest £10 million in him, with the Chilean midfielder now making a genuine impact at Portman Road.
His switch from Norwich City to their fiercest rivals was always bound to draw attention, becoming only the fifth player to cross that divide. The price tag and the controversy surrounding the move piled on the pressure, but Núñez is steadily proving his worth.
After a quiet start marked by limited minutes and time needed to adjust, the 25-year-old has grown into his new role. Recent standout displays — particularly against QPR and Hull — have made him an important figure in Kieran McKenna’s squad, and Ipswich fans are beginning to see the attributes that made him such a bold signing.
Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin believes Núñez is only getting better. He noted that even in a below-par outing against Hull, the midfielder still stepped up to score the opening goal. Combined with the free-kick double he produced against QPR, Wilkin feels Núñez has already gone a long way toward justifying the fee. He added that the Chilean looks more comfortable operating as a No. 10, though injuries to teammates may still see him used deeper when required.
What has stood out since his arrival is his versatility. While Norwich often used him in a deeper, ball-playing role, Ipswich have pushed him further forward, allowing him to influence the game creatively and take advantage of his powerful shooting from distance. His ability to find pockets of space and change games with moments of quality is becoming increasingly evident.
With Norwich struggling, letting Núñez leave now looks even more questionable from their standpoint. For Ipswich, however, the move is proving a smart piece of business. His growing confidence, his influence in the final third and his ability to produce decisive contributions have all strengthened their bid to return to the Premier League.
If he continues on his current trajectory, Núñez could go down as one of Ipswich Town’s most inspired signings in recent years.