I’ve always held a soft spot for Liam Delap. He’s one of those young talents that captures attention, though naturally, any up-and-comer with limited experience sparks a bit of concern. Yet, Delap, now 22, offers something promising—nearly a century of senior appearances spanning Manchester City, Stoke City, Preston, Hull City, and Ipswich Town. While not everything is at the Premier League level, it’s respectable experience nonetheless.
Now, while that doesn’t assure stardom, it certainly positions him ahead of some other young prospects we’ve brought in lately. Ideally, we should aim for a seasoned, top-tier striker to fill the crucial number 9 spot. Strikers like Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen, with their vast European experience and veteran presence, would be preferable choices.
But with our current recruitment strategy, Delap might just be the compromise we have to embrace. Until there’s a shift in how we approach signings, of course.
Yet, there’s a lot to admire about Delap. He’s got the grit and tenacity to challenge any center-back, acting as a robust focal point whether inside or outside the box. He’s formidable in the air, possesses raw physicality, and embodies the qualities of a modern striker—a package we’re missing sorely.
Over the weekend, Ange Postecoglou mentioned, “[Liam] Delap’s a handful for anybody in this league,” and that nails it perfectly. He’s shaping up to be the all-around striker we’re seeking, as even this chart suggests.
The stats back this up: Delap has netted 10 goals from 7.19 xG in the Premier League this season. Picture him in a team like Chelsea, known for creating numerous scoring opportunities—he’d likely see more chances materialize. He has the knack for finding space in tight defenses as well as during fast breaks. Given Chelsea’s frequent crossing strategy, Delap would be the target they need.
His shooting is precise and decisive too. With a shot accuracy of just over 51%, he ranks 10th among forwards with over 900 minutes in the league this season, outperforming players like Alexander Isak, Watkins, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, and Dominic Solanke.
Enzo Maresca certainly holds him in high regard. Reflecting on Delap, Maresca mentioned, “Liam is a fantastic player, we spent one year together. I think he scored 22 or 24 goals. This is a very good striker – works hard off the ball, on the ball, he understands the game and he can score goals. Because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England.”
Delap’s a unique talent. Kieran McKenna captured it well, saying, “Top. He’s improving all the time. His rate of improvement for a young player is really high. His style is enjoyable to watch for anyone. There’s not many like him out there and he’s playing incredible Premier League defenders every week.”
Technically sound and physically imposing, Delap causes headaches for defenders. Chelsea’s own backline can surely attest to this. His attributes are precisely what we crave—qualities we’ve been missing.
But, naturally, if we had the chance to secure a more experienced striker in a role that Chelsea has struggled to fill since 2017, it would boost confidence levels considerably. Delap has youth on his side, meaning he’ll continue to refine his talents, although stepping up significantly is never guaranteed—even with seasoned players. What we need are experienced leaders on the field.
That said, there’s no denying Delap brings essential mentality—he’s a winner, a fighter, a battler. So, honestly, if we were to sign him, I’d be pleased. In a perfect world, we’d capture both Delap and Gyokeres, shifting Nicolas Jackson to the left flank. Alas, that scenario remains a fantasy for now.
