Theo Walcott - Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has voiced his concerns over the club’s decision not to pursue Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea earlier this month in a £30 million move from Ipswich Town.
Delap, 22, caught the attention of several top clubs after an impressive Premier League campaign with Ipswich, scoring 12 goals despite the club’s relegation. His performances activated a £30 million release clause in his contract, sparking interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. While United held advanced talks, it was Chelsea who ultimately secured the signing of the former Manchester City forward.
Arsenal, who remain in the market for a striker this summer and have held discussions over Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, opted not to make a move for Delap, an omission Walcott finds troubling.
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Speaking toThe Athletic, Walcott said: “Strikers are selfish, they just want to score goals. But now, all of a sudden, the wingers are starting to get more selfish because they want to cut in and do their thing. They’re not connecting like they once did.”
Liam Delap
New Chelsea striker Liam Delap (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Highlighting Delap’s qualities, Walcott continued: “That’s why Delap going to Chelsea worries me as an Arsenal fan. I know they have been going for that No. 9, that Didier Drogba type—it’s that curse of the No. 9. Delap can break that curse because he’s a really good striker. He’s the next one after Harry Kane for England.”
Walcott added that Arsenal’s reluctance to challenge Chelsea and United for Delap’s signature was disappointing.
“It disappoints me as an Arsenal fan if you don’t go after someone like that. You can see it in him as well, you can see his fight. He doesn’t care who he plays against.”
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