Ipswich Town have unlocked a key to the Premier League - thanks to Norwich City | OneFootball

Ipswich Town signed Marcelino Nunez from bitter rivals Norwich City during the summer window

Marcelino Nunez made the rare switch from Norwich City to Ipswich Town during the summer window, in a move that caused mass controversy; the Chilean attacking-midfielder has shone in recent weeks for the Tractor Boys.

Under Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town recorded back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, but would ultimately be immediately relegated back to the Championship ahead of this campaign.

A large summer overhaul took place in Suffolk, with club stalwarts such as Sam Morsy, Massimo Luongo, and Cameron Burgess all leaving the club, whilst the likes of Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, and Nathan Broadhead left in lucrative deals.

Azor Matusiwa, Jens Cajuste, Darnell Furlong, and Sindre Walle Egeli are just some of the summer recruits made by Ipswich, but none were as nearly as controversial as Marcelino Nunez, who made the switch from bitter rivals Norwich City for a reported £10 million.

The Chilean playmaker made it clear he wanted to leave Carrow Road for Portman Road, much to the dismay of Canaries supporters, who issued backlash at sporting director Ben Knapper for sanctioning the deal.

Nunez has been an almost ever-present figure in McKenna's side this campaign, and could prove to be the difference between automatic promotion and a play-off place.

Marcelino Nunez has been in excellent form for Ipswich Town this season

Nunez became the first player since goalkeeper Andy Marshall in 2001 to make the move directly between the two clubs during the summer, in a switch which reflects the difference between the two clubs at the moment.

Despite Philippe Clement overseeing a big upturn in form and performances since taking charge at Carrow Road, the Canaries remain in the relegation zone, with fears over the drop still lingering.

Ipswich, on the other hand, sit just outside the automatic places, with promotion an incredibly high possibility come May.

Nunez, in particular, has been excellent for the Tractor Boys, scoring three and assisting eight in 22 Championship appearances for the club this season.

His creative threat from the attacking-midfield role in McKenna's 4-2-3-1 shape has proved to be crucial to their efforts in the final third, with Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke in particular benefiting from his presence.

Whilst not a great goal threat, leaving that to the wide players and forward more often than not, the 25-year-old is incredibly dangerous from dead-ball scenarios, as seen with his free-kick brace away to Queens Park Rangers.

The Chilean is a metronomic figure in the heart of McKenna's attack, as, according to FotMob, he ranks in the upper 90th percentile among Championship players in each of expected assists per 90 minutes (0.27), accurate long balls per 90 minutes (2.05), chances created per 90 minutes (3.07), and successful crosses per 90 minutes (2.05).

His creativity is where he clearly shines, though he also ranks in the 97th percentile among Championship players for shots taken per 90 minutes at 3.52, suggesting that whilst he has no problem in getting shots away, he hasn't nearly been clinical enough with them; 40 of the 55 total shots he has taken this season have come from outside of the box, suggesting that McKenna has allowed the 25-year-old the license to shoot from distance when he feels appropriate to do so.

If Nunez could become a little bit more efficient from his efforts outside the box, then their chances of promotion would drastically increase.

Whilst capable of playing in a deeper role, the Chilean has occupied the attacking-midfield role in each of Ipswich's last 11 league games, assisting seven times in that period, though without scoring.

Nunez could prove to be the difference for McKenna's side this season, in a move which will have been even sweeter having been signed from their bitter rivals.

Indeed, Ipswich will have their sights set on the top two this campaign, as they would have done at the very beginning of the season.

As expected, the Tractor Boys have been one of the standout teams this season, and whilst their league position doesn't necessarily reflect that, McKenna will not at all be worried about his side's promotion hopes.

With both Coventry and Middlesbrough slipping up over the past month, the gap has closed at the top of the table, and you get the feeling that Ipswich are smelling blood.

Having completed the double of Coventry already, McKenna's side have all the proof they need that they can go on and claim that league title, and Nunez will no doubt be a key figure in those efforts.

One of the most creative players in the league, the Chilean must continue his fine vein of form if Ipswich are to sustain their automatic promotion push, which will no doubt leave a sour taste in the mouths of Norwich supporters.