Liam Delap reveals why he joined Chelsea as Manchester United handed transfer snub | OneFootball

England Under-21 striker has been given the No9 shirt at Stamford Bridge after £30m transfer from Ipswich

Liam Delap has revealed that he chose to join Chelsea this summer because of his desire to win trophies.

Delap - who has been given the No9 shirt in west London - was attracting interest from a host of clubs, including Newcastle and Manchester United, after scoring 12 Premier League goals this season.

“Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years,” said Delap.

“I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that.

“The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective.”

A move to Chelsea sees Delap reunited with Enzo Maresca, whom he worked with during his time at Manchester City.

Maresca oversaw the club’s Elite Development Squad and Delap led the attack, scoring 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 matches to guide the team to a maiden Premier League 2 title during the 2020/21 season.

“He is an incredible coach and helped us all develop so much,” Delap said of Maresca. “What we did that season was record-breaking, and what he’s gone on to achieve - and what the players in that age group have achieved - is incredible.

“He has a great understanding of the game. He was very detailed in how he approached things with us and while it can be hard at that age to take on so much information, he brought it across in a way we understood and could put into our games. I think it’s proved in the years since how much it has helped.”

Delap will also be reunited with Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, who both played with him at City.

The England Under-21 international joined City from Derby in 2019 and played alongside Palmer for the club’s U18 side.

Lavia was also a team-mate of Delap’s at City after he joined the club in the summer of 2020 from Anderlecht.

“Cole is incredible in everything he does,” said Delap. “I can’t wait to be in front of him again and receive his passes!

“I spent a lot of time with them (Lavia and Palmer) both at City. We grew up and played some incredible football together. I spoke to them about joining and I am excited to play alongside them again.

“I also know Levi [Colwill] a bit as we faced each other hundreds of times when we were growing up. It’s always nice to know people [when you join a new club], and I’ve spoken to a few of them and asked them for advice.

“They’ve told me how great a place it is and I’m really excited to come and play alongside them.”