Why Chelsea want to sign Liam Delap and how he can improve Enzo Maresca’s side | OneFootball

The transfer window has only been open for a few days but Chelsea have been moving quickly and are close to wrapping up the signing of Liam Delap.

But why do Chelsea want the Englishman, and what can he offer the Blues?

Delap has been playing for relegated Ipswich this campaign, and still managed 12 league goals despite his side’s struggles.

The 22-year-old is also on offer this summer for the very attractive price of just £30 million, due to a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for a reduced fee now that Ipswich have been relegated.

Despite his age, Delap is very well-rounded and has multiple strings to his bow. He can play with his back to goal, has excellent hold-up play, and is a good finisher too.

He is more refined than Nicolas Jackson and also has a better temperament. The slight concern will be the fact that he is just 22-years-old and Jackson is 23, meaning both striker options are still raw and developing, and now that the Blues are in the Champions League they need someone who is closer to the finished deal.

But Delap has all the attributes to get there, possessing great strength, pace and power. He has similarities to Jackson in that he is a real threat running in behind and with the ball.

In fact, Delap was among among the best strikers in Europe when it came to carrying the ball forward last season, ranking in the 87th percentile for progressive carries compared with strikers in Europe’s top five leagues, and in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons.

Maresca described Jackson as his “perfect number nine” earlier this season and said he would like a “copy of Nico”. There are obviously differences between the two, but Delap’s similarities to Jackson suggest the Englishman is an obvious fit with this Chelsea side.

He also worked with Maresca previously, as part of the Man City youth team, so the Blues boss will be aware of how to get the best out of him.

His addition will likely allow Maresca’s side to play a more open, attacking game should he desire, given Delap’s skillset. The Blues were criticised at times last season for not moving the ball forward quickly enough, but Delap can allow them to do that more often.

The positive for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea is also that the fee is so low that there is less risk involved in the deal. Even if the Englishman does not reach the heights the club will expect of him, it is improbable that his value will go down much, if at all.

According to reports, Chelsea want to get him in before the Club World Cup which kicks off in less than two weeks and are also asking him to miss the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. It remains to be seen whether he will join the club before the tournament commences on the 15th June.