Chelsea could be set for a club vs country row with the FA as they look to finalise a move for Liam Delap. Following the Blues’ qualification for the Champions League, they emerged as the most likely to sign Delap, who is available for £30million this summer.
Ipswich Town’s immediate relegation back to the Championship meant a relegation clause in Delap’s contract became active. Manchester United and Newcastle United were both linked with the prolific striker, who netted 12 times during his maiden Premier League campaign.
It was revealed earlier this week that Delap’s preference is to join Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, as the capital club eye up another promising young talent. However, Chelsea might have to wait until they see him in a blue shirt, given he’s been called up for England’s Under-21 side ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
Chelsea are set to compete in the revamped Club World Cup at the same time, with the Premier League side keen to have Delap in the States for the tournament, as per The Telegraph. In order for that to be the case, the 22-year-old would have to relinquish his Young Lions call-up in favour of travelling to the US with Chelsea instead.
The striker was set to start the opening match of the tournament against Czechia for Lee Carsley’s side, but Chelsea believe the Club World Cup should have priority over the youth international tournament. The two-time European champions will open their campaign against either Los Angeles FC or Club America, with the pair set for a qualification play-off. Following that, Chelsea will compete in matches against Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
When quizzed about the competition following Chelsea’s recent Conference League triumph, Maresca replied: “Hopefully it can be a starting point to build a winning mentality, you need to win games and competitions. For sure it will make us better but also I'm very proud of the path and journey in the Premier League - the most difficult competition in the world.
“Now we have 10 days off where we need to recover energy. The target is to game by game and step by step but at the moment, we don't have any targets for the Club World Cup. This season has been very long.”
The 2025 Club World Cup begins on June 14 in Miami and will run until July 13, with the final set to be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.