A potential Everton transfer for Liam Delap plus the expectations for Beto and Thierno Barry have been discussed by Kevin Phillips
Chelsea striker Liam Delap (left) and Beto of Everton (right)
Chelsea striker Liam Delap (left) and Beto of Everton (right)
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Liam Delap has been issued a transfer warning over a potential move to Everton this summer.
Delap netted a dozen Premier League goals for Ipswich Town in 2024/25 but after they went straight back down to the Championship, his £30million relegation release clause enabled him to talk to interested parties.
Everton were one of those chasing his signature at the time, hoping the prospect of being the leading star going into a new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium could add weight to their bid.
Blues boss David Moyes took what was an unusual step for him of publicly declaring his interest and following their talks he said: “We’ve had a chance to speak to him, yes. He spoke to three or four clubs.
“He’s given us our opportunity to pitch our case. We’re probably a little bit behind the black ball but hopefully, you never know what happens.”
Ultimately, Delap chose to go to Chelsea, who could offer Champions League football while also providing him with the chance to play under Enzo Maresca, who had previously been his coach at Manchester City.
However, the Italian departed on New Year’s Day and the west London club – who have subsequently hired and fired Liam Rosenior, dispensing of his services less than four months into a six-and-a-half-year contract – have now appointed Xabi Alonso.
Despite being part of the squad that lifted the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA last July – alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who moved to Everton for £25million the following month – Delap netted just once in 28 Premier League matches this term and struck twice in 41 games in all competitions.
With the Blues again among those being linked with the 23-year-old’s signature, one of the Premier League’s most prolific marksmen of yesteryear has had his say.
Former England international Kevin Phillips netted 92 Premier League goals for Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa and Birmingham City – including 30 in his debut season in the competition with the Black Cats under the management of Blues legend Peter Reid in 1999/2000 – but he has warned that Delap would have no guarantee over a place in Moyes’ side either.
Speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, Phillips told the ECHO: “It’s a difficult one because playing as that lone striker, you come in and then you’ve got two strikers in front of you; all of a sudden you’re competing for that one space.
“So from Liam’s point of view, yes, he could certainly go to Everton and perform for sure. But from his point of view, for him to move on, he needs to go and be that number nine, that regular starter week in and week out and I don’t think he’d be guaranteed that at Everton.
“And of course, it’s going to cost a lot of money. Do you want that just sitting on the bench maybe every other week?
“So, it’s a difficult one, but I think with Everton, with the strikers they’ve got, they can be fairly happy with what they have. They would have to bring someone in that’s quite happy to maybe sit on the bench and compete against those two (Beto and Thierno Barry).”
Beto netted 10 goals for the Blues in 2025/26, eight of which came after the turn of the calendar year.
With the 28-year-old striker, who joined for £25.8million from Udinese in 2023, set to move into the final 12 months of his current deal, Phillips reckons Hill Dickinson Stadium chiefs should look to hand him fresh terms.
He said: “Beto scored some good goals towards the end of the season and hit some form. So, I certainly would be looking to keep him on board.
“He’s got attributes that suit the Premier League. He’s a big lad, he’s powerful, and he’s shown he can score goals.
“So, I certainly would be looking to enter negotiations and not let his contract run down. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but he’s certainly proved at the back end of the season that he can compete in the Premier League, and that’s what you want.
“Those types of players, they’re hard to find. If you want someone else like that, you’re going to have to go and pay for it.”
When it comes to Barry, Phillips believes the Frenchman, who netted eight goals in his debut season in England following a £27million transfer from Villarreal, needs to up his game. He said: “I think overall, when you look at the season he had, it’s probably been a bit disappointing.
“I think a lot of the fans probably would have expected more. There’s certainly a player there, but I suppose when you’re in and out of the side, and you’re competing against someone else, it can be difficult.
“So, he’s certainly got potential. Listen, Everton have got two really good strikers there.
“I’m pretty sure David Moyes isn’t looking to move any of them on. But from Barry’s point of view, I want to see more next season.
“There are no excuses now. The Premier League, go and shine next season.”