After choosing not to join Newcastle United in the summer, Liam Delap has endured something of a nightmare at Chelsea.
The forward was massively in demand at the start of the summer transfer window, boasting a £30million release clause following Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship. After scoring 12 Premier League goals, Liam Delap had proven he can hang in the top flight.
That appealed to Eddie Howe, with Newcastle United holding talks with Delap over a move to St James’ Park.
However, it was Chelsea who won the race. They snapped up the 22-year-old, then rubbed the Magpies’ noses in it even further by signing Joao Pedro ahead of them as well.
Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, not much has gone to plan for Delap. He was struck down by a hamstring injury after just three games, while his return to action on Wednesday night proved to be a disaster.
Liam Delap reacts to his red card during Wolves vs Chelsea.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Liam Delap slammed for ‘stupid’ red card on Chelsea return
While Newcastle United knocked Spurs out of the Carabao Cup, Chelsea did the same to Wolves.
Enzo Maresca’s side won 4-3 at Molineux, but ended the game with 10 men. That is because Delap got himself sent off, picking up two yellow cards following his introduction as a substitute.
Bookings in the 79th and 86th minute marked a humiliating return for the forward, who was subsequently slammed by his manager.
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Maresca was asked about the red card after the game, saying: “We had a very stupid red card that is completely unnecessary.”
The Chelsea manager added: “Liam is a player when he’s on the pitch, he’s a little bit playing the game for himself and struggles to realise and listen [to those] around him.”
Delap will now miss Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Spurs on Saturday evening due to suspension. He has made just four appearances this season, failing to find the net in any of them.
The ironic reason Liam Delap opted not to join Newcastle United
Would things have been different had Delap joined Newcastle United? That is an impossible question to answer.
However, his reason for ignoring the Magpies’ advances is somewhat ironic given how the rest of the summer transfer window panned out.
It was reported that Delap rejected Newcastle United because of Alexander Isak, with the belief being that the Swede was going to remain at St James’ Park. In turn, that would have limited Delap’s opportunities under Eddie Howe.
Instead, Delap opted to join Chelsea and link up with his friend Cole Palmer. As for Newcastle United, they endured an incredibly uncomfortable Alexander Isak situation that concluded with him joining Liverpool for £125million.
There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ surrounding Delap and Newcastle United, but Eddie Howe will not be too concerned. He will be very happy with the strikers he brought in, with Nick Woltemade flying in black and white and Yoane Wissa closing in on a return to fitness.