Liam Delap’s career at Chelsea got off to a very promising start after he helped his side to win the Club World Cup.
However, it has been pretty much downhill for Delap since then, with the striker picking up yet another injury.
Delap damaged his shoulder in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth over the weekend, which follows a hamstring problem that sidelined him for two months.
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Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu did not convince at all in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth
Julian Alvarez playing for Atletico Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
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This latest setback is now set to keep him out for a while, but the Blues already have a solution for the injury blow.
Emmanuel Emegha scores for Strasbourg against Crystal Palace
Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea should bring forward Emanuel Emegha deal
It has been claimed that Delap could be out for up to eight weeks, which is devastating news, but Chelsea have the chance to bring in a replacement at the start of January thanks to Emanuel Emegha.
As things stand, Emegha is set to join Chelsea next summer following a pre-agreement between the Blues and Strasbourg for his signature.
However, with BlueCo owning both clubs, it should not be too difficult to bring that deal forward.
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Emanuel Emegha reacts during Strasbourg vs Marseille
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Even if Delap comes back sooner than expected, it could still be worth the Club World Cup winners bringing Emegha in now.
Delap was struggling in the Premier League before his latest injury, while Enzo Maresca has used Joao Pedro in the No.10 role at times. Simply put, Chelsea look in need of another centre-forward.
Liam Delap goes of injured during Chelsea vs Bournemouth
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How Emanuel Emegha’s and Liam Delap’s seasons compare
Out of the two, Emegha is having the much better campaign. Because of his own injury problems, Emegha has not actually played that much more football than Delap, but things are going significantly smoother for him in front of goal.
Player League apps Minutes Goals Assists Shots per game
Emanuel Emegha 7 415 4 2 2.3
Liam Delap 8 352 0 0 1.5
Via Emanuel Emegha’s WhoScored and Liam Delap’s WhoScored pages
Delap was at least able to score against Barcelona in the Champions League, a moment that he will never forget. But again, the England Under-21 international has had a tough time in the Premier League when he has played.
All in all, Chelsea should at least consider the idea of signing Emegha in January with Delap set for more time on the sidelines.
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