Chelsea stance on Liam Delap transfer as Man Utd legend reveals concern

Chelsea still believe Liam Delap has the makings of a top Premier League striker and deserves more time to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge.

Delap’s £30m release clause at Ipswich Town made the England U21 international one of the most in-demand players during last summer’s transfer window.

Manchester United and Newcastle United were among the Premier League clubs to express interest in a deal but Delap was keen to join Chelsea and signed a six-year contract in west London.

The signing of player Delap for a relatively small fee was seen as coup at the time but the former Manchester City player has endured a hugely disappointing first season at Chelsea.

Delap has only scored one Premier League goal for his new club and has been forced to play back-up to fellow summer signing Joao Pedro, who has 18 goals in all competitions.

An underwhelming campaign has led to speculation Delap could leave Chelsea after just one year but Sky Sports say that is not the plan as things stand.

It is claimed senior figures at Stamford Bridge believe much of Delap’s struggles are down to unfortunate injury setbacks and are willing to give him more time to prove his worth.

A number of pundits have criticised Delap since his move to Chelsea, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane claiming he ‘lacks quality’.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast: ‘At the moment he’s obviously lacking confidence, and he lacks real quality doesn’t he?

‘Being a handful up front isn’t enough. But he’s only a young kid, you’ve got to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’m not writing him off but he’s been a miss so far.’

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher agreed with Keane’s assessment of Delap and said the striker joined the wrong club last summer.

‘It was a bad move. Honestly, it was a bad move going to Chelsea,’ Carragher said.

‘I just think young players, when they’re on a journey and getting better… the jump from Ipswich and Chelsea was too big, he needed somewhere in the middle.

‘Somewhere like Everton. If you play centre forward for Everton and play every game and know even if you have a few bad games you’re still going to play.

‘Whereas at Chelsea he’s never sure he’s going to play, even if he starts. Sometimes the jump is too big, you need that team in the middle.’

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has defended Delap, however, and told Enzo Maresca’s signing he will ‘have his opportunities’ to make an impact until now the end of the season.

The Blues are battling to secure a top-four finish with nine Premier League games to go and are eyeing up a deep run in Europe ahead of their Champions League last-16 tie against PSG.

Rosenior’s side lost to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup but are still in the FA Cup, facing League One strugglers Port Vale in the quarter-finals after last weekend’s win over Wrexham.

‘You need a group,’ Rosenior said. ‘Joao [Pedro] is on fire, but that’s nothing on Delap. I expect Liam, when he does get his opportunity to take it, to show his quality.

‘So it’s not comparing players. Liam will have his opportunities to play in big games. It’s up to him to take it, and I’m confident that he will.’

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