The Athletic reveal what sources have told them about Liam Delap’s struggles this season | OneFootball

Liam Delap has found it hard to adjust to life at Chelsea because of a lack of regular starts this season according to The Athletic.

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Chelsea fought off interest from a number of Premier League clubs to sign Delap for £30m from Ipswich last summer.

However, the England under-21 international has really struggled this season, and has managed just two goals in 35 appearances.

Liam Delap struggles down to lack of starts?

Delap has scored just one goal in the Premier League, and despite having a couple of injury setbacks he’s delivered nowhere near what was expected of him.

The 23-year-old was handed a rare start in Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United, with Joao Pedro injured, but he failed to make the most of his chance.

Delap hit the bar with a header in the second half, but again struggled to make a positive impact on the game, and if Pedro is fit for Tuesday’s game against Brighton he’ll likely find himself back on the bench.

Everton have been linked with a move for Delap, and whilst it’s unclear if Chelsea are looking to move him on after one season, it wouldn’t come as a total surprise.

However, The Athletic have reported that sources have told them Delap has struggled to adjust to a lack of regular starts, and he’s struggled to find any rhythm.

Of his 35 appearances in all competitions this season just 14 of those have come as starts, but that’s not an excuse for the lack of performance when he’s been on the pitch.

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In other news…

Joe Cole has warned players will want to leave Chelsea if the Blues miss out on Champions League football, which looks likely at this stage.

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