The Blues have been linked with Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, with former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair claiming that the Sporting man would be his preferred option, casting doubt on Delap’s ability to start for a title-winning team.
Chelsea need a top striker and given they have Champions League football now, it’s a lot easier for them to go and get their man,” Sinclair told Express Sport with William Hill. “If Chelsea want to challenge for the Premier League title, then a new striker is needed.
“Osimhen is a top player, very confident in what he does and will thrive in the Premier League. I prefer Gyokeres, given he is more of a team player and can score all types of goals and seems to be strong as well.
“Looking at Liam Delap, he has had a good season for Ipswich. To score 10-plus goals in a team who are relegated is good and he would do a good job at Chelsea, given the amount of games they will play.
“If Delap is the one, I am not sure he will be able to push Chelsea to the title, but he is a good young striker and can learn from the current players Chelsea have.”
Chelsea had already secured their place in next season’s Champions League before becoming the only club ever to win the top European competition in addition to Europa League and UEFA Conference League successes.
Despite the club’s track record of winning on the continent, Chelsea’s current stars felt that it was necessary to celebrate long into the night in Poland. Sinclair believes they were right to do so and victory over Real Betis in the final can propel the club to further heights.
“It’s really big,” Sinclair said of the Conference League triumph. “Chelsea have a culture of winning trophies and this was the European Trophy they had the chance to win this season, and they won it.
“This is great for this young squad to get their first trophy under their belt so I have no issue celebrating this trophy and for the owners as well, this is their first trophy for the club.
“It’s a new era, a good young group of players and the quality they have in the squad was evident in the second half, especially.
“Don’t underestimate how much this will do for this group of players and for the future of the club under Maresca. Chelsea can now build on this and with the right additions to the squad, they can compete for big honours next season.”