Chelsea make the short trip to West Ham on Friday night for their second game of the Premier League season. Will Liam Delap be promoted to the starting line-up, though?
The Blues were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace last weekend in their Premier League opener, and summer signing Liam Delap was named on the bench, only making a late appearance.
Delap, 22, joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town in June for £30m. Even though the English striker was relegated from the Premier League last season, he impressed by scoring 12 top-flight goals in a struggling Ipswich team.
Micah Richards suggests Delap won’t start in Chelsea’s best XI because of Joao Pedro, but he definitely offers something different with his physicality and speed.
It will be interesting to see who Enzo Maresca picks to lead the line against West Ham this week. If he wants to try something different, he could look to use versatile attacker Pedro out wide and bring Delap into the team in a central position.
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap playing against West Ham in the Premier League.
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
What Graham Potter said about Liam Delap back in May
West Ham boss Graham Potter watched his side get thrashed 3-0 by Sunderland in their opening Premier League game, so they desperately need a response against Chelsea
The English head coach knows plenty about the Blues after previously managing them. As for Chelsea frontman Delap, he may not have worked with him in West London, but he delivered a glowing verdict on the centre-forward last season when he was playing for Ipswich.
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When discussing Delap via West Ham’s official website in May 2025, Potter said: “He’s a strong, physical, direct centre-forward, who is probably a little bit old school.
“He uses his body well, but has quality at the same time. You can see he’s well educated, and now he’s benefiting from Kieran McKenna’s help. Individually, he’s had a good season.”
Club Appearances Goals
Ipswich Town 40 12
Hull City 32 8
Stoke City 23 3
Preston North End 15 1
Chelsea 7 1
Manchester City 6 1
Liam Delap’s senior club career
After completing his move to Chelsea, Delap explained he won’t stop being aggressive because it’s something instilled in him when he enters the football pitch. Perhaps that is exactly what the Blues need later this week for the trip to West Ham.
It should be easier for Maresca to rotate as the season progresses when the domestic and European cups kick in, but the opening phase of the season begins with one fixture a week.
Delap rejected several clubs this summer to join Chelsea, so he’s clearly got the desire to become a key figure at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully, he’s going to get his opportunity in some capacity to throw a marker down against West Ham.
Graham Potter the West Ham manager looks on during the Premier League match against Fulham.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Graham Potter has never won against Chelsea
It’s quite fascinating that Potter has never won as a manager against former club Chelsea in seven attempts.
Matches Wins Draws Losses
7 0 4 3
Graham Potter’s managerial record against Chelsea via Transfermarkt
His West Ham side will be underdogs at home to the Blues on Friday night under the lights at the London Stadium, but both sides are looking for their first wins of the new season.
Potter was impressed by Maresca’s impact at Chelsea last season, and now they’ll lock horns again in the manager’s dugout.