The transfer saga is nearly over. Chelsea’s pursuit of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has been dramatic in recent weeks, but it looks like he’s on the verge of moving to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues appear to be quickly out of the gate for the summer transfer window by landing Liam Delap.
It’s been reported that Delap will undergo a Chelsea medical on Monday before officially being announced as a new signing.
The 22-year-old English striker will join with expectations on his shoulders after scoring 12 Premier League goals. Incidentally, Ipswich fans have confidence Delap will succeed at Chelsea as they prepare to lose their key player, which is no great surprise because their relegation activated a £30m release clause.
Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from Delap’s imminent arrival at Chelsea.
Photo by Cameron Smith - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Smith – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Winners
Enzo Maresca: Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca must be delighted that his club are about to get the first summer signing over the line.
Maresca previously coached Delap in the Manchester City academy, so we’re expecting a successful reunion for them in West London.
Interestingly, Maresca is one of the reasons Delap chose Chelsea despite transfer interest from several other clubs. We suspect the young centre-forward can’t wait to get going next season, and the fact he’s familiar with the manager’s football philosophy already is a positive for everyone.
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Cole Palmer: It’s always going to be good news for attacking midfielder Cole Palmer when any talented striker joins him in Chelsea’s ranks because he will have someone extra to create for.
Like the manager, Palmer actually already has an existing relationship with Delap because the pair played together at Man City. It means they could be ready to hit the ground running from day one next season.
Delap and Palmer have an incredible record of games they’ve played together, so Blues supporters will hope history can repeat itself with them.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
England’s national team: In the future, England will need to find a long-term successor to Harry Kane to lead the line for the national side.
We feel that Delap, who is a regular for England’s Under-21s side, could replace Kane on the international stage later down the line. If that is to happen, he will need to prove himself at the highest level.
Not only is Delap’s move to Chelsea beneficial for his own club career, but there is a good chance it could end up getting him senior international recognition. It’s why he should be targeting making an impact in next season’s Champions League with the Blues.
Five Chelsea players are in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for matches against Andorra (World Cup qualifier) and Senegal (friendly) in June.
Losers
Nicolas Jackson: In some ways, we understand the point that Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will benefit from the arrival of another centre-forward. It should help ease the burden on his shoulders and allow for there to be a bit more rotation.
However, the reality is that Delap possesses a direct threat to Jackson because they will be fighting it out for the same centre-forward position.
If Delap can arrive from Ipswich and suddenly click into gear in a system he already knows, it could be bad news for Jackson. He’s been an automatic starter in his first two seasons as a Chelsea player, but that could suddenly be about to change.
Jackson rejected the No.9 shirt at Chelsea when he joined two years ago. Will Delap send out a statement from day one and take the jersey?
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Manchester United: The speculation that Delap is leaving Ipswich to join Chelsea must have been a real blow to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
In the past couple of months, Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd side have been heavily linked with the English frontman. In fact, Delap wanted to join Man Utd only a couple of weeks ago.
Instead of Old Trafford being his home next season, he will be walking out at Stamford Bridge in Chelsea colours.
It means that Man Utd will have to turn elsewhere in the striker transfer market this summer and watch through their fingers to see how much Delap develops.