Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea hasn’t quite worked out the way both player and club had hoped.
A hamstring injury shortly after his arrival didn’t help matters. It wasn’t until early November that the striker made his third league start of the season. However, in the months since, Delap has hardly pulled up any trees.
Rather, he has regressed. The 23-year-old has scored just once in the league this season. He looks a shadow of the player that bagged 12 times for Ipswich in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
In this article, we’ll cover:
The issue, though, is where do Chelsea turn in the summer with regards to Delap. The young forward penned a six-year deal upon his arrival. While the Blues could yet turn on a profit on the frontman, the risk is that cutting their losses too soon could come back to haunt the west London side.
Delep set to drop further down Chelsea pecking order
Conversely, Chelsea have a number of forwards either returning or arriving in the coming months. Nicolas Jackson’s loan spell at Bayern Munich will end. Emmanuel Emegha will join the club from Strasbourg later this year.
Joao Pedro, who signed from Brighton last summer, has thrived this season. Only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have scored more league goals than the Brazilian (14) in England’s top tier this term.
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And for a Chelsea side that favours operating with a lone frontman, battle for a starting spot will be fierce. Amidst managerial uncertainty, too, it leaves Delap, and by extension the rest of the Chelsea squad, in a bit of a predicament.
So, where does that leave Delap as the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge draws to a close? He’s already dropped down the pecking order in west London, and with Andoni Iraola among those tipped to take over the Chelsea reins, he may plummet further. Jackson, for example, is the selfless forward that Iraola would crave.
By contrast, Delap just isn’t a forward that would suit the Chelsea style of play. The Blues dominate opponents rather than sit deep in the hope of countering teams. Ipswich did so impressively last season, with Delap a key player in both forging these chances and tucking them away.
Style doesn’t suit Chelsea
Only Mohamed Salah (7) scored more counter-attacking goals than Delap (4) in the Premier League last season. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Ipswich returned the lowest possession average (40%) in the division. Chelsea this season despite multiple managerial changes still look to dictate the tempo. A 58% average is the third highest.
And Delap clearly struggles with the demands that come with playing in a possession-heavy side. 3.6 unsuccessful touches per 90 is higher than any other Chelsea player. Given the Blues will often come up against low-block opposition, this inability to hold onto the ball means attacks so often break down.
It’s hardly a surprise Delap has committed double the number of fouls (22) as he’s had shots on target (11). Frustration will always rear its ugly head when things aren’t going to plan.
The issue now then is whether Delap can afford to settle for another season at Stamford Bridge in the hopes that it’ll come good in the capital. Already second-choice frontman at Chelsea, the likelihood is that he’ll be leapfrogged by either Jackson or Emegha, or both.
Brentford a good fit for Delap?
Turning out for a side that’ll suit his strengths, in that case, is vital. In this instance, he could play a key role for a team that both boasts a low possession haul and scores a high number of counter-attacking goals.
No team has scored more counter-attacking goals than Brentford (9) in the Premier League this season. While they already have a first-choice frontman in Thiago, the Brazilian is attracting watchful glances from some of the Premier League’s big hitters.
The Bees boast a 47.5% possession return, and the willingness to play counter-attacking football combined with the long-throw approach would suit Delap.
Style suits the Hammers
West Ham, too, implement an approach that suits Delap’s skillset. Only Burnley (41.6%) boast a lower possession average than the Hammers (42.1%) in the Premier League this season. Six counter-attacking goals ranks fourth.
Nuno already has attacking options in Callum Wilson and January arrival Taty. However, the former, who penned a one-year contract extension in March, has a chequered injury history. At 34 years of age, Wilson’s career is in its twilight years.
Taty, meanwhile, would need a handy hardworking deputy, which Delap would provide. The issue, though, is whether West Ham will be plying their trade in the Premier League next season. The east London side are two points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham with four games to go, and have their destiny in their own hands.
If they do stay up, then an approach for Delap makes sense. He’d suit Nuno’s managerial style, and the willingness to sit deep and explode forward would bring out the best in the young forward.
Either way, Delap would probably be better served departing for pastures new in the off-season. His Chelsea career is not going to improve anytime soon, and there are current Premier League sides that stand to maximise his style of play.