According to talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, Liam Delap made a career mistake by choosing to join Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer. This comes after the striker’s drab performance in the Blues’ 1-0 second-leg EFL semi-final loss to Arsenal.
Delap opted for Stamford Bridge after an exciting debut season in the Premier League. The Blues signed him for £30 million, but he has failed to meet expectations so far, scoring just twice in 21 appearances this season. Speaking about the 22-year-old’s outing against the Gunners, Agbonlahor said:
“He looked lost. He got the ball, he tried to take on Hincapie, and lost it every time.”
The former Aston Villa striker also insisted:
“I think the jump from Ipswich to Chelsea was too much… When I look at him as a striker, I like him – he can hold up the ball well, he’s a good finisher, but he just doesn’t look sharp enough for the top level of the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro has had a better time in Chelsea’s blue colours, having found brilliant form under Liam Rosenior at the Bridge. The forward joined from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, and has since scored nine goals and created four assists in the Premier League this season. Pedro notably scored a brace against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League and is expected to continue thriving, while Delap struggles for game time.
The English striker still has time to adapt, though: he signed a deal until 2031, which is more than enough for him to prove his worth to the Chelsea faithful. There were no striker additions to the squad in the January transfer window, so he will certainly find some time to make an impact, especially if Rosenior can get the best out of him as the season progresses.
Why Chelsea Didn’t Strengthen in January Despite Delap Struggles
Chelsea decided not to strengthen their attacking lineup in the January transfer window, despite Liam Delap’s struggles in recent months. There were rumours that the Blues would make a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, but they did little more than enquire after the winger’s services and release clause.
The Blues have also been linked to Victor Osimhen in recent transfer windows, while Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was placed on their transfer radar. However, they have opted to focus on future transfer windows instead, especially in the summer of 2026.
There are already signings around the corner for Chelsea, with Emanuel Emegha expected to join up with the Blues in the coming summer. As for transfer business, the Blues sent players out on loan, including Tyrique George joining Everton and Axel Disasi joining West Ham.