Even with over two months left to go of the summer transfer window, it’s fair to say Newcastle haven’t enjoyed the smoothest start to proceedings.
Although Antonio Cordero has officially been confirmed as a new signing from Malaga, and youngster Oliver Goodbrand also set to join from Rangers, bringing in first team additions early hasn’t gone to plan as of yet.
The double whammy of missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, who seems bound for Manchester United, and Liam Delap has been a shame, seeing us beaten to deals by ‘big six’ rivals despite the allure of Champions League football.
Alan Shearer in particular seems to feel that Delap is one that got away, explaining why he was so keen to see him at St James’ Park.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer expressed a sense of disappointment that Liam Delap opted to join Enzo Marseca’s Chelsea over Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
We were part of a four team pursuit for the 22-year-old, and it was hoped us securing Champions League football and the Eddie Howe effect may give us the edge as several clubs prepared to activate his £30m release clause at Ipswich.
Instead Delap, seeking a starting position wherever he went, looks to have been swayed by Chelsea and their striker woes, with Shearer delivering high praise to the former Manchester City product:
> _“I think he is a bit old-fashioned, he is like a throwback from what a centre-forward was 20 or 30 years ago when they were all in fashion. Aggressive, horrible to play against, doesn’t mind mixing it up, can run in behind.”_
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> _“Obviously he scores goals. The number of goals he scored in a really struggling team. That is only going to get better. At his age, the ability he has got now. I think he has got a really bright future._
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> _“I like him. I would have liked to have seen Newcastle get him, but for whatever reason he has decided to go to Chelsea. I think that is a really smart move for them.”_
A tough, physical presence has been something absent from the Newcastle attack for some time, and it’s a shame that Howe’s current system doesn’t promote a two man striker partnership.
While Bryan Mbeumo’s proposed move to Man Utd may be money-driven, many believe Delap’s decision to join Chelsea was more down to his wish to become a club’s leading man up front. But will he become that at Stamford Bridge?
Currently, before any departures, the Blues have Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku on the books, and Hugo Ekitike has also been heavily linked.
Meanwhile, all Delap would realistically have had to compete with at St James’ Park would have been Isak, who he may have been able to play alongside following claims that Eddie Howe is prepared to play two up top next season.
Even then, Isak has had groin issues lately and will do well to play 50+ games next season, meaning Delap could’ve enjoyed plenty of starts, also benefiting from Howe’s coaching and a squad featuring a number of ever-improving England talents.