Former Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend has claimed it would be in the best interests of all parties for Liam Delap to leave Chelsea, arguing that the young striker has struggled to establish himself at the highest level of the Premier League.
Townsend’s comments come amid growing speculation surrounding Delap’s future, with several clubs reportedly monitoring the England international ahead of the summer transfer window.
Speaking about the forward’s development, Townsend suggested that Delap has yet to demonstrate he can consistently perform at the level required by a top-flight side competing near the upper end of the table
‘Liam Delap’s next club? Everton are desperate for a striker,’ the former Chelsea midfielder told OLBG. ‘They’ve got Beto and Tierno Barry, and neither of them are good enough, so Everton definitely need one.
‘Liam at CHELSEA, when compared to Ipswich, he’s always looked a little inhibited. Is it the way the team plays, or is it just being a higher-profile player now at a bigger club?
‘Whenever he’s come on as a sub, he’s rarely had an impact. I’ve very rarely seen anything where I’ve thought, “Wow, now I can see what Chelsea have invested in.” I just haven’t seen anything from him yet, to be honest.
‘But that happens, he’s not the first striker to go to a club where it doesn’t work out. For whatever reason, sometimes you can’t always put your finger on it. Certain players go to certain clubs, and it just doesn’t happen.
‘Fernando Torres, moving from Liverpool to CHELSEA, was a world apart. So, for Liam Delap, I think a move to somewhere where he’s going to be the main man, regular, and consistent is necessary, but he’s got to find a little bit more to his game.
‘He’s looked like a Championship player trying to cut it at a top Premier League team and he’s looked awkward and it hasn’t just looked like it’s the right sort of fit.
‘So I think he’s got to believe in himself a bit more. I’d like to think in the summer he will keep himself in really good nick in case something happens.
Delap still has plenty of time to fulfil the promise that made him one of England’s most highly regarded young forwards. However, Townsend’s assessment reflects a growing belief among some observers that the next stage of the striker’s development may require a move where he can become a central figure rather than a squad option.
With the transfer window approaching, Delap’s future is likely to remain a major talking point as clubs weigh up whether to offer the young forward the opportunity for a fresh start.
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