Liam Delap was understood to be on Newcastle United’s radar before he joined Chelsea.
Liam Delap has opened up about having several potential suitors before ultimately joining Chelsea.
Newcastle United are understood to have been keeping tabs on the former Ipswich Town star. Delap enjoyed a fine breakout campaign at Portman Road after leaving Manchester City to pursue first-team football.
Ironically, it was the Magpies who relegated Ipswich and, in doing so, activated Delap’s £30million release clause. A striker is understood to be on Newcastle’s wishlist, with Callum Wilson entering the final days of his contract.
Newcastle United striker options
Should the 33-year-old leave, William Osula will be the only remaining backup to undisputed first-choice Alexander Isak. Delap would have provided a fresh option and a different profile given his physical qualities up front.
As it happened, the 22-year-old joined Chelsea and will battle Nicolas Jackson for a starting berth. He has now insisted the “project” at Stamford Bridge is what appealed to him most.
Liam Delap on Chelsea project
"It was a nice position to be in, but also there are a lot of decisions you have to make," Delap said. "You never know if it is going to be the right decision.
“You've just got to go with your gut and hopefully it works out. There are so many factors that go into it. I’ve got a good relationship with the manager. I know how he plays.
“I've played in this system before. I know a lot of the players here and the project of the club, how they see the future. That's what excited me."
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Enzo Maresca on Liam Delap
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes Delap can succeed Harry Kane as England’s main No.9. He said: “He knows exactly what we can give him, and I know what Liam can give us,' Maresca said at his pre-match press conference ahead of our Club World Cup opener against Los Angeles FC tonight.
“The season we were together, we won the Under-21 competition for the first time for Man City and he scored 24 goals. So it’s a win-win, and the conversation before he joined was an easy conversation. We like Liam, Liam likes us. So it was easy.
“When we faced Ipswich, when Liam wasn’t a Chelsea player, I said that for me, he can potentially be England’s No.9. That was when he wasn’t even with us. For sure, now he is with us, I will say again I don’t have any doubt he can be a future England No.9.”
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