Chelsea spent an absolute fortune on new players in the summer transfer window, and some of the transfers just haven’t worked out so far.
The Blues spent around £290 million and have nine players to show for it. You can’t fault the ambition of the Chelsea owners, but if they could go back in time, perhaps they’d change their minds.
Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Jorrel Hato are the three who have perhaps had the quietest of starts to life at Chelsea.
Hato wasn’t given too many opportunities under Enzo Maresca due to Marc Cucurella’s dominance at left-back, whilst Gittens has flattered to deceive when given the opportunity.
But it’s Liam Delap who seems to be regretting his move to Chelsea.
What have you made of Liam Delap in a Chelsea shirt?🤔
Liam Delap's Chelsea stats vs Pafos
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
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Premier League clubs feel Liam Delap is starting to regret joining Chelsea
Liam Delap’s debut season at Chelsea hasn’t exactly gone to plan. A difficult cycle of hamstring and shoulder injuries has held him back, as well as ill-discipline at times.
However, Liam Rosenior is keeping his trust in Delap, having worked together at Hull City.
But some are losing faith, as according to Miguel Delaney (via Independent YouTube channel),
“Delap, from what I’m told by people at several clubs, was basically seen as a no-brainer.
“And that’s because he was available for a mere £30 million release clause. That’s less than half of everyone else’s price, other than the £50 million initial that Arsenal paid for Gyokeres.
Do you WORRY for Delap’s future at Chelsea? 🫨
Another frustrating performance
Delap struggles against Pafos.
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“A lot of people are now wondering whether Delap actually regrets going to Chelsea, given the conveyor belt of forwards around him. And people at the clubs that wanted him are wondering whether Delap regrets it, because they feel they could have given him more of a chance.
“It’s felt he could have been especially right for Manchester United. Also, I think the lower fee made all the more sense.”
Liam Delap’s season in numbers at Chelsea
Statistically, the 22-year-old has managed two goals in 17 appearances, with one coming in the Premier League against Fulham and another in the Champions League against Barcelona.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom as he’s won 32 duels and 12 aerial duels while maintaining a high work rate with 12 recoveries. This is something that even Gary Lineker praised Delap for.
His expected goals (xG) of 2.9 in all competitions suggest he is frequently finding the right positions, though a lack of consistent service and the transition from Enzo Maresca’s tactical setup to Liam Rosenior’s new system may have limited his output.
If there’s anyone who can get the best out of Delap, it’s Rosenior.
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