Liam Delap of Chelsea FC
Liam Delap of Chelsea FC(Image: Getty Images)
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Chelsea are said to be open to letting Liam Delap leave the club this summer amid transfer links to Nottingham Forest.
Delap is understood to be keen to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for a place in Xabi Alonso’s team, having only joined Chelsea for £30m last summer.
But Alonso is believed to be ready to sanction his departure, according to The Standard, having bolstered his attack with the signings of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha this summer and with Joao Pedro set to be his leading striker.
Delap endured a difficult, injury-hit first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring just once in the Premier League and making 12 league starts as he played second fiddle to Pedro.
Speaking about Delap earlier this summer after a match against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso praised his efforts in pre-season.
"Every player that is involved is doing well, Liam as well,” he said.
“It was 60 minutes when he had to battle hard against the centre-backs, a good few lays off, so he's doing well and preparing for the season."
Asked whether he believed Delap was struggling with his confidence, Alonso said: "I see him in a good mood, in a good desire to get proper fitness, proper football feeling good, and he's doing well."
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