Liam Delap’s impact is a positive – but no striker can succeed without goals forever | OneFootball

This is a syndicated version of this story, originally featured on the BBC Sport website.

There are times in life when you get a compliment which stings as much as criticism.

Liam Rosenior’s words about Liam Delap after Friday’s win over Hull had that ring to them. The Chelsea manager praised the forward’s work rate and dedication, and noted that he had given a nice assist in the 4-0 win.

But the reality is that the most memorable part of Delap’s performance was his decision to prioritise celebrating, and then appealing to the referee, over actually making sure the ball was in the net, after his shot hit the crossbar and bounced out.

It was not the kind of thing you would see from a striker with a true goal-machine, killer mentality. Alan Shearer was as baffled as you’d expect on the BBC’s coverage of the game. It was, on the other hand, what you expect to see from a player with 2 goals in 24 appearances this season.

Rosenior backs Delap to keep developing

Liam Delap celebrates scoring for Chelsea. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Rosenior, like most managers, is reluctant to be critical of his players at the best of times. There’s little to be gained, and a lot to lose. He is right in that Delap’s assist for Estevao was great, and that Delap does plenty of grafting for the team.

But in the long term, running around is not going to be enough. Of course a consistent series of starts will help him find some form, but no striker who is scoring one goal in every 500 minutes on the pitch can expect to be starting regularly for a Champions League team.

Let’s not forget, Nicolas Jackson was moved on last summer despite having a similarly admirable attitude, plus a far better goalscoring record to boot.

There is plenty of time left in the campaign for Delap to prove his worth. But he will be desperate to earn praise for more than just his diligence before the season is out.

Will Faulks @willfaulks