Ipswich Town: Axel Tuanzebe on what to expect from Premier League

The Blues have defied the odds to secure second spot in the Championship table ahead of Leeds and Southampton, back-to-back automatic promotions ending a 22-year absence from the top flight.

Tuanzebe is the only non-loan player at the club to have significant top flight experience, the 26-year-old having made 16 starts and 12 sub appearances at that level for Manchester United and Aston Villa. 

"We all watch Premier League football," he said, with a smile, when asked what supporters can expect from the step up.

"The level's quicker, you get a lot more talented individual players, so I think we've got to watch out for that.

"Over the summer there's a lot of work to be done. Obviously we'll look to bulk up the team. But we're in a good space right now and I think we can bring a lot as a team."

Axel Tuanzebe marked Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez when he made his full Premier League debut for Manchester United. (Image: PA)

Meanwhile, Tuanzebe revealed that promotion was being discussed inside the club as early as last September.

"I had conversations with the manager before I came and this (promotion) is something that we spoke about," he said.

"Some people might have thought it was unrealistic, but we believed. We had a plan set out and we've executed a plan.

"Just look at the celebrations. Everybody's happy. It's clear what this means to the club and what it means to Suffolk. It's amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to something."

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After joining Town as a free agent on September 8, Tuanzebe dipped in-and-out of the team over the winter as he built up his fitness following several injury-hit years. He then played a major role in the run-in, starting 11 of the final 13 games at right-back.

His one year contract will soon expire, though Ipswich do have the option to extend that by a further year should they wish.

"It's hard to get momentum when you're coming in mid-season and trying to cement a position for yourself, but I stuck at it and things prevailed," said the man who once marked Kylian Mbappe out of a Champions League game. 

"The option's there (in the contract). Those conversations can be had in the background. Right now I'm just enjoying the celebrations."

TOWN'S PREMIER LEAGUE EXPERIENCE

Axel Tuanzebe - 16 starts and 12 subs apps for Man Utd and Aston Villa

Kieffer Moore - 12 starts and 23 sub apps for Bournemouth

Jeremy Sarmiento - 2 starts and 12 sub apps for Brighton

George Hirst - 2 sub apps for Leicester

Leif Davis - 2 sub apps for Leeds

Nathan Broadhead - 1 sub app for Everton

Omari Hutchinson - 1 sub app for Chelsea