Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Liam Delap is in a difficult position at Chelsea. Clearly, the Englishman lacks confidence, and his game time is only going to reduce now that the Blues have struck a deal for Danny Welbeck.
After just one Premier League goal during his first season at Chelsea, Delap now has to fight off new competition. Welbeck has arrived to provide experience and looks set to be Chelsea’s back-up striker.
Liam Delap price tag at Chelsea
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Then there is Emmanuel Emegha, who has arrived at the club from Strasbourg. The Blues also have a returning Nicolas Jackson, though the Senegal international is being strongly linked with Aston Villa.
But there is another name that is drawing attention at Chelsea, and one Xabi Alonso clearly likes. Dastan Satpayev scored Chelsea’s first of seven goals in Australia, though he remains a trialist as things stand.
Kairat Almaty boss reveals Chelsea’s plans for Dastan Satpayev
Currently, Satpayev is 17. Chelsea had to gain one-off clearance to use Satpayev this summer, given that players are not allowed to swap countries before the age of 18. Satpayev, however, turns 18 on the 12th.
It has seen the winger start against Western Sydney as a trialist, and come on as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham. Clearly, Alonso has been impressed, and Satpayev has plenty of Kazakhstan backing.
Chelsea FC v Tottenham: Sydney Super Cup
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Indeed, his manager at Kairat Almaty, Rafael Urazbakhtin, believes Satpayev is already better than Delap: “They have Delap. In my opinion, Dastan is the better player. He’s younger and faster,” he told Sports RU.
“Delap may have more experience. However, Dastan is quicker, has better stamina, and is more versatile. Delap is a traditional centre-forward, whereas Dastan offers more. I’d choose Dastan over Delap.”
Rafael Urazbakhtin reveals Chelsea’s plan with Satpaev
For now, the future of Satpayev remains unclear. Will he remain at Chelsea before the deadline? Or will he be sent on loan to Strasbourg or elsewhere to gain valuable playing time before Chelsea use him?
Well, Kairat Almaty manager Urazbakhtin believes Satpayev will remain at Chelsea this summer. He claims that was the plan all along, that Chelsea intended to keep him in London and give him game time.
Dastan Satpayev of Chelsea FC seen in action during the 2026
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“Their plan was for Dastan to stay at Chelsea no matter what, and for him to get playing time so he could adapt. I believe he has a very good chance of becoming a regular part of the squad,” Urazbakhtin claims.
“He made an impression from the very first minutes. That goal will give Dastan confidence and increase the coaching staff’s confidence in him. We listened to Alonso’s press conference; he spoke highly of him.”
Chelsea need to sell for Satpayev to have any chance
It might be a bit of a surprise if Satpayev is kept at Chelsea this summer given his age, but the Blues could easily end up selling Delap, Jackson and Marc Guiu. Fabrizio Romano claims Emegha could also depart.
If two or three of those four leave Chelsea before the deadline, it certainly opens a pathway for Satpayev into Alonso’s plans. But if Chelsea fail to offload at least two of those four, Satpayev should go on loan.
Plenty will happen in the next few weeks, with Chelsea expected to offload as many as 10 players before the start of the window. Satpayev, though, is proving why he should be kept at Stamford Bridge.