Chelsea have become known for splashing the cash in the transfer market over recent years, even breaking the British transfer record on numerous occasions.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández both joined in deals worth over £100m, showcasing the hierarchy’s ambitions of taking the club back to Premier League glory in the years ahead.
Over the summer of 2025, the Blues spent up to £420m on new additions, including add-ons, with Enzo Maresca once again being backed to lead the club up the table.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca looks dejected after the match
Numerous of the recent arrivals have hit the ground running in West London, as seen with striker Joao Pedro, who has already netted four goals and laid on three assists this season.
However, the same can’t be said for another player in the first-team squad, with his start to life in the capital being nothing short of a disaster, given his constant setbacks.
Liam Delap’s disastrous start to life at Chelsea
During the summer window, Chelsea secured the £30m signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after triggering his relegation release clause in his contract.
The 22-year-old was seen as an exciting addition for the Blues, but his move has failed to take off in recent months, with injuries often plaguing his progress under Maresca.
liam-delap-chelsea
He suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham back in August that would rule him out of action for two months, before suffering yet another issue just seven games into his return.
Delap was forced off with a shoulder injury against Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago, which is set to rule the Englishman out until the new year at the earliest.
However, despite his fitness issues, the £30m man has often struggled to deliver the goods when fit, as seen by his measly tally of just one goal in his first 11 appearances for the Blues.
His only goal came in the Champions League, but his struggles in the Premier League are there for all to see, with the talisman only posting five shots on target to date.
The Chelsea star who’s already a huge upgrade on Delap
As previously mentioned, fellow striker Pedro has already managed to outperform Delap in the Premier League, with the Brazilian a more effective option to date.
pedro
The £55m paid for the 24-year-old already appears to be excellent business, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion star having the platform to reach world-class status under Marcesa’s guidance.
However, the Blues’ recent recruitment has seen them target young talents that can gain experience elsewhere before making the jump into being a first-team regular in West London.
Estevao is a prime example of such a situation, with the teenager staying at homeland club Palmeiras for a period of time before his move to Chelsea to allow him to gain needed senior first-team minutes.
Such a situation has once unfolded in front of the supporters’ very eyes, with striker Emanuel Emgeha one of the latest players to agree to join Maresca’s men.
Emegha-Strasbourg-transfer
Back in September, it was confirmed that the Dutch striker would be joining the Blues in the summer of 2026 from sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year contract.
Whilst he may be an unknown name to many, the 22-year-old is an unbelievably talented star who could inject serious quality into the centre-forward department.
When comparing his stats to those of Delap from the ongoing campaign, the soon-to-be Chelsea star has massively dominated the Englishman in numerous key areas.
Emegha, who's been dubbed one of the "best strikers in Europe" by his assistant boss, has also struggled with injuries this season, but it hasn’t restricted him from thriving in the final third, as seen by his incredible tally of six combined goals and assists in just seven appearances.
How Emegha & Delap compare in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Shots on target
Pass accuracy
Passes into final third
Take-on success
Aerials won
Stats via FBref
Such a tally is way in excess of what Delap has been able to offer, with the Blues' number nine unable to post a single goal or assist in more outings than the Dutchman.
Away from his goalscoring record, the Strasbourg talent has also achieved more shots on target per 90 - further showcasing his talents within the final third.
He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts being made into the final third - arguably making him a more creative outlet.
Emgeha’s dominance is also reflected in his higher tally of take-ons completed and better aerial success rate - numbers which make him the perfect all-round option for Maresca.
Emmanuel Emegha for Strasbourg
Emmanuel Emegha for Strasbourg
Many fans will have hoped that Delap would have more of an impact in 2025/26, but it’s safe to say the move has failed to live up to the expectations it generated.
However, the arrival of Emegha next summer could finally end the hunt for a new talisman, with the youngster having all the tools to star at Stamford Bridge for many years.
Caicedo-Estevao-Chelsea Related
Chelsea's next star: BlueCo have signed a talent who's like Estevao & Caicedo
The hugely exciting wonderkid has been compared to two of Chelsea's best players.