Chelsea FC v Tottenham: Sydney Super Cup
Chelsea FC v Tottenham: Sydney Super Cup | Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Liam Delap looked to be a shrewd signing for Chelsea when they signed him from Ipswich Town last year. He had just come off the back of scoring 12 Premier League goals in 37 matches for the Tractor Boys. This was great form, considering he was playing for a club that was relegated from the top flight.
Unfortunately, he could not build on his campaign with Ipswich. Last season with Chelsea, he found the back of the net just once in 28 matches. That goal came in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage. His only two other goals for Chelsea came in a Champions League match with Barcelona and in the Club World Cup against Esperance Tunis.
Joao Pedro emerged as Chelsea's first-choice striker last season. The Blues have also brought in Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Hove Albion to add experience up front. Nicolas Jackson and David Datro Fofana have also returned from their loans at Bayern Munich and Strasbourg, respectively.
The Blues also have Marc Guiu and have signed Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg, too. Therefore, Xabi Alonso has too many options up front. The Athletic has reported that "Liam Delap is one of the players most likely to go. He joined from Ipswich Town for £30million last summer, but the club are looking for a fee in excess of that."
It is unlikely that the Blues will now be able to make a profit on Delap after a poor campaign. However, he is only 23 and contracted to Chelsea until 2031. Therefore, he has potential, but getting him out of his Blues contract could be difficult.
4 potential landing spots for Liam Delap
Manchester United
Manchester United have already done business with Chelsea this summer, signing the defensive midfielder Andrey Santos. The Red Devils could be back for a striker. However, it would be seen as Delap failing upwards if he were to leave Chelsea for a club that will be in the Champions League next season.
The Red Devils already have Benjamin Sesko, Mateus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee as strikers at the club. Therefore, game time still would not be guaranteed if he were to head to Old Trafford.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest will be looking for a long-term replacement for Chris Wood. The New Zealander is now 34 and missed much of last season with a knee injury, which he had to have surgery on. He ended the Premier League season with just three goals in 15 games.
Forest also has Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi as striking options. Therefore, Delap would still have a difficult task breaking into their lineup.
Newcastle United
There is uncertainty at Newcastle United right now following the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, which led to Eddie Howe leaving the club too. The Magpies are also in danger of losing Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal as well.
Newcastle needs some good news, and signing a young striker with potential could be this. They should also have money to spend after letting go of many of their top players. Nick Woltemade did not live up to expectations in his first season at St. James' Park and has been linked with moves away from the club this summer.
Other strikers that Newcastle have at their disposal are Yoane Wissa and William Osula. There are fears that the Magpies could be in a relegation battle in the upcoming campaign. Therefore, they may need Delap to rediscover his form from Ipswich if they do sign him.
Everton
Everton has often been spoken of as a potential landing spot for Delap. David Moyes has a track record of giving players who have flopped at bigger clubs a chance. He did this last season by taking Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City.
Moyes could be the manager to get Delap back to his best. Game time at Everton would likely be afforded to Delap, as they currently only have Beto and Thierno Barry as striking options.
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