Enzo Maresca Urges Chelsea to Pursue 21-Year-Old Liam Delap in January

Rising Star in the Premier League

Liam Delap has quickly established himself as one of the standout talents of this Premier League season, despite playing for a struggling Ipswich Town side. At just 21 years old, he’s showcasing the qualities of a traditional number 9 while adding a modern twist to his game.

With his strong build and “Barclaysman” roots, Delap is more than capable of leading the line solo. Yet, his background in Manchester City’s academy has equipped him with refined skills like a soft first touch, nimble footwork, and exceptional link-up play—traits that set him apart from the typical striker mold.

Enzo Maresca’s Connection with Delap

During his time at Manchester City, Delap worked under Enzo Maresca, now Chelsea’s manager, alongside other familiar faces who have since moved to Cobham. Reflecting on their shared experience, Maresca was full of praise for Delap during a pre-match briefing ahead of the Ipswich game:

“Liam is a fantastic player. Even at his young age, he had an outstanding season with us, scoring 22 or 24 goals. He’s a very good striker. England is fortunate to have such talented players,” said Maresca.

The Chelsea boss also highlighted Delap’s strengths:

“He works tirelessly off the ball, understands the game well, and, most importantly, knows how to score goals. Given his age, he has the potential to be a key player for England in the future.”

Chelsea’s Interest in Liam Delap

Reports from The Athletic indicate that Chelsea is closely monitoring Delap as they explore options to bolster their attacking lineup. The young forward has emerged as a promising candidate among the five to ten players the Blues are scouting.

“Among the list of forward players Chelsea is observing, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap has recently gained significant attention,” states The Athletic.

Ipswich’s Reluctance to Sell

Despite Chelsea’s growing interest, Ipswich Town is determined to retain Delap mid-season. The club views him as integral to their survival fight and is expected to resist any January transfer offers.

“Ipswich is unlikely to entertain offers for the 21-year-old during the season, as they need him in their battle to avoid relegation,” adds the report.

Victor Osimhen Not a January Target

Chelsea’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements isn’t expected to include Victor Osimhen this winter. Following an unsuccessful loan bid during the summer, the Blues are unlikely to revisit negotiations for the prolific striker in January.

“Another attempt to sign Victor Osimhen, who was targeted in the summer, is not anticipated during the January window,” the report concludes.

Conclusion

Liam Delap’s performances have undoubtedly caught Chelsea’s eye, and his familiarity with Enzo Maresca only strengthens the case for a potential move. However, with Ipswich reluctant to part ways mid-season, this transfer story could develop further as the January window approaches.