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'Early work has started': Chelsea are already working on deal to sign'special'player - journalist

Chelsea are already thinking about improving their squad despite having a really good season.

Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League table and are only behind Arsenal because of alphabetical order.

Enzo Maresca‘s men are also nine points behind leaders Liverpool so appear to be in the title race.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has actually been speaking about Chelsea, claiming that they could go on a similar winning run to his team.

Ipswich Town's Liam Delap in action during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Ipswich Town FC at City Ground on November 30,...

Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images

Chelsea trying to sign Liam Delap

Maresca will be happy with how Chelsea are performing and with the options that he has.

Nicolas Jackson has been in fine form this season, while Christopher Nkunku is an amazing back-up option to have for the No.9 position. The Frenchman has netted 11 times in all competitions. Even so, the Blues appear to be interested in Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

In fact, according to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are already working on signing Delap, though there is no guarantee that they will see things through due to interest in other strikers.

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On his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, he wrote: “SPTC sources have heard that Chelsea have begun putting down the groundwork on a potential deal due to many other clubs showing interest in him now. Early work has started, but that does not mean that we will 100% go for Delap at this point.

“There are many other names on our striker shortlist and as I keep reporting, the club are yet to decide what kind of calibre of striker they are going to go for.”

Despite having a buy-back option, it is believed that Manchester City will not make a move for Delap.

What has Pep Guardiola said about Liam Delap?

City sold Delap to Ipswich during the summer, but Pep Guardiola seemed to be a big fan of the 21-year-old.

“He has special qualities,” Guardiola was quoted as saying by the News & Star in 2022. “An incredible finisher. [But] he needs to improve when he drops, with the first touch.”

Of course, with Erling Haaland being the first-choice striker at City, it made little sense for Delap to remain at the Etihad.

Ipswich may be fighting for survival, but his move to Kieran McKenna’s side has worked out.

The England U21 international is really developing at Portman Road, scoring six goals in 13 league appearances this season.

He is now attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in England, including Chelsea. Like with Cole Palmer, then, perhaps City’s loss could end up being Chelsea’s gain.

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