Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly - Source: Getty
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly - Source: Getty
Liam Delap has described being made to train away from Chelsea’s first team, a spell widely described as the club’s ‘bomb squad’, as a bit rubbish.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the 23-year-old said the people around him helped before his move to Nottingham Forest was completed in late August.
"Obviously it’s a bit rubbish going to train away from the group, but I think I’ve got really good people around me."
Delap is the son of former Stoke City and Ireland midfielder Rory. And thanks to his father, he grew up understanding things that happen in football. As such, the striker wasn't shocked by how Chelsea moved him away from the first team picture.
He added:
"My dad [Rory, the former Stoke and Ireland midfielder] has been through it all, and you hear everything that happens in football, so nothing surprises you.
“That good culture that I’ve got around me helped and it’s just about keeping your head down. Only do what you can do right because if you do something bad then it will only be negative on you.”
After being deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, Delap missed the Blues' 3-2 win over Fulham in the opening game of their ongoing Premier League season. He scored just three goals in 47 appearances for the club, before sealing a transfer worth £50 million including add-ons to Nottingham Forest.
How Liam Delap has performed at Nottingham Forest since leaving Chelsea
After putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Nottingham Forest, Liam Delap is still adjusting to his new surroundings. He made his debut as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Delap scored his only goal so far for Nottingham Forest in the 2-1 win away from home at Aston Villa last month. He has not scored in his five league games since, failing to find the back of the net against Coventry City, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Forest have five points from seven matches and sit 19th in the Premier League table, with five league goals in total and none at home. Delap will go up against his former club Ipswich Town on Friday and will hope to be on the scoresheet on his return to Portman Road.
Notably, Delap scored 12 goals and bagged two assists for Ipswich Town during the 2024/25 Premier League season. Despite his goals, The Tractor Boys were relegated at the end of the campaign.