Jens Cajuste has explained why he wanted to return to Ipswich Town following relegation to the Championship. (Image: Ross Halls)

After a summer of speculation, Jen Cajuste returned to Ipswich Town for a second season on loan from Napoli.

Stuart Watson spoke to the Swedish midfielder.

Jens Cajuste was linked to several clubs over the summer before finally returning to Ipswich Town on loan.(Image: ITFC/Matchday Images)

Laid-back Jens Cajuste is glad a ‘hectic’ summer is behind him.

The silky Swedish midfielder had enjoyed his year on loan at Ipswich Town, saying Suffolk life ‘suits me like a hand in a glove’.

Blues boss Kieran McKenna said it was ‘obvious’ he wanted to bring an ‘outstanding’ player back, while it was clear that the 26-year-old was out of the picture at employers Napoli.

A return was complicated though. Relegation meant an eight-figure obligation to buy clause was not triggered and there was plenty of interest in a player who never looked out of place in the Premier League.

A long-standing knee issue he continues to manage further muddied the waters.

McKenna admitted ‘plenty needed to happen’ for a reunion, while chairman Mark Ashton added that a deal would ‘need to be something that’s right for us, him and his club’.

Both parties went away and explored their options.

Ipswich struck a deal with Middlesbrough for Hayden Hackney, but could not persuade the player to join.

Cajuste, meanwhile, reportedly held talks with newly-promoted Premier League club Burnley, Turkish outfit Besiktas and Saudi team Neom.

In the end, however, the day before Town’s big kick-off at Birmingham, the two came back together.

A €1m (£870k) loan fee, with an obligation to buy for €6.5m (£5.6m) in the event of promotion, got the deal done.

Jens Cajuste says he feels fully fit now following a limited pre-season at Napoli.(Image: Ross Halls)

“I kept the key to my apartment here just in case, and, yeah, it turned out pretty okay,” he says, reflecting with a smile.

“It was a bit of a hectic summer, I’d say, with rumours here and there. I won’t delve into the details.

For the most part, I leave most of the transfer business to my agent and try to stay out of it as much as possible.

But, yes, there were a few clubs interested and it’s true that I was always keen on coming back to Ipswich.

“I think it’s well known that I had a great time here in the town, enjoyed not only the team and the coaching staff but also the city. So it felt like a very natural move for me.

“At the start, it didn’t really work out, I think it took a bit longer than both parties had expected, but I’m glad it worked out in the end. I’m really excited, really happy.”

Jens Cajuste didn’t look out of place playing in the Premier League.(Image: Ross Halls)

Asked why he feels so settled in Suffolk, Cajuste, whose relaxed aura and velvety tones put all at ease around him, took a moment before replying: “That’s a good question. I don’t know.

I think different factors, but partly I’d say just the club culture in general is something that I hold very dearly.

I think it’s very welcoming, very family-oriented, and that’s something I really appreciate.

I’d say perhaps as well that it’s a calm environment, very calm, but also a hard-working environment, and that suits me, I think, perfectly.”

Another pull factor was the chance to rekindle a midfield partnership with Azor Matusiwa, the pair having previously played together at French club Reims.

“He’s a good, good footballer,” say Cajuste.

“Very tough in the duels, hard worker, and suits the style of play here very well. And as a person, I think he suits the group as well.

He’s very laid-back and humble. Just a nice guy, I’d say. Nothing but praise.

Jens Cajuste has been reunited with former Reims midfield partner Azor Matusiwa at Ipswich.(Image: Ross Halls)

“It’s been a while since we’ve played together, so naturally it’s going to take a few games maybe to get back in full chemistry.

But, yeah, I think it’s an advantage that we had that prior relationship and know each other, so it should be up to speed quicker, I think.

All relationships on the pitch are important and midfield is not an exception.”

Enjoying the intensity of English football was another reason to return.

“I learned a lot last season,” he says. “I had quite a few tough matches, but I think those are the ones you learn the most from.

“To be honest, it might be the style of football that’s suited me the best.

I’ve played in quite a few different countries (Sweden, Denmark, France and Italy), different leagues, but for me, English football is the one I’ve felt like I’ve adapted the best to.

“I’ve definitely grown not only football-wise but as a person since last year.”

One more motivation to come back was the Ipswich medical staff knowing how to keep him fit.

“I have that trust in the team and in the medical staff. I know I’m well taken care of here and that was definitely a factor,” he admits.

Jens Cajuste is fouled by Lewis Travis in the 2-2 home draw against Derby.

It was an impressive first start back at the club.(Image: Steve Waller)

“I think the knee is under control. I’m managing it. I played 30 games in the Premier League last season (25 starts).

I think the knee, in some ways, is even in a better condition than it was in the summer last year (when Brentford opted out of a deal at the medical stage), so it’s looking positive. It’s all about management.

“There will be more games this season, yes, but we’ll also have a few moments of breaks where I get some more extra rest, so that’s good.”

Having had no real pre-season at Napoli, Cajuste was eased back into action with sub appearances against Southampton and Preston.

Impressive starts against Derby (78 mins) and Sheffield United (63 mins) followed.

“I was playing a little bit of catch-up the first week and a half, I’d say, but right here, right now, I’m pretty much back to full fitness,” he says.

“Game time is different from training sessions, so that’s going to be a natural progression How many minutes if I’m fit for – 90, 60 – I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Town’s £7.5m signing of midfield playmaker Marcelino Nunez from Norwich City will certainly ease the pressure on Cajuste pushing himself to the limit.

“I think that’s good. I think that’s what we need,” he says, on the capture of the Chilean international.

“There are many games in the season, so there’s going to have to be a lot of rotation.

I think competition makes you better, so we embrace it.”

Marcelino Nunez will provide stiff midfield competition for Jens Cajuste.(Image: Steve Waller)

Ipswich fans have certainly made it clear they are delighted to see Cajuste back.

A hearty cheer greeted his first touchline warm-up during the first home game of the season, with supporters in the North Stand chanting his name. Mention of that moment brings out a big grin on the midfielder’s face.

“I’ve always felt that appreciation from the fans and I’m very thankful for it,” he says.

“I was pretty focused on the game, so I was trying my best to tune it out, but it was a very special moment.”

Cajuste has spent the last three years playing in Ligue 1, Serie A and the Premier League. Asked what he was expecting from the Championship, he said:

“I’ll be honest, I was very surprised at how intense it was and the level of competition here the first couple of weeks. It was a bit of a shock, honestly. I was like, ‘whoa’.

“I’ve heard from my team-mates, from the coach, that it’s a tough league, there are no easy games, every game’s going to be a dogfight and just to be ready for it.”

It’s been more than a year since Cajuste earned the last of his 25 caps for Sweden.

On whether getting back into the international set-up was a goal, ahead of next summer’s World Cup in North America, he replies:

“National team, of course, is a huge honour and when called upon you answer.

It’s massive, it means so much, but it’s not in my hands, it’s not in my control.

The main focus is club football, 100 per cent. I just keep doing the best and then whatever happens, happens.”

Jens Cajuste is confident Ipswich can secure an instant return to the Premier League.(Image: Ross Halls)

He adds: “Me, I try to stay away from personal targets and try to focus on the team.

I think when you put everything into the team, you will get the personal reward from it. I try to help the team in any way possible.

If I can score a hat-trick, of course I would say, yes, I would do it! But that’s not how football works. I will do my best, I can promise that.”

And finally, when asked if he’s confident the team can achieve their clear goal of an instant return to the Premier League, Cajuste says, without missing a beat: “Very confident.

I mean, this is a big club, we have great players.

I don’t have any doubts that we have the ability to get back this season at all. None.”

Never fall in love with a loan player, they say. I think we can make an exception here.