Chelsea have officially announced them adding Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in a transfer worth £30 million. The 22-year-old joins the Stamford Bridge club on a six-year contract and will wear the No. 9 shirt for the upcoming Premier League season.
The move comes after a notable campaign for Delap at Portman Road, where he was a key figure in their attack. His arrival at Chelsea signals a clear intent to bolster their forward line under new head coach Enzo Maresca. His arrival has sparked curiosity among supporters keen to see how he’ll fare at Stamford Bridge.
An Impressive Season at Ipswich
Despite Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League, Delap emerged with considerable credit. In 37 league appearances during the 2023/2024 season, he registered 12 goals and provided 2 assists. He basically scored a third of the Tractor Boys’ goals and contributed to more than a third, counting the assists.
Delap’s performances did not go unnoticed. It earned him individual accolades at the club, including the Players’ Player of the Year award. His ability to find the net in a struggling side showcased resilience and a natural goalscorer’s instinct that will be called upon at his new club.
Key moments included a brace in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and a goal plus assist in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Portman Road. It was Ipswich’s first home Premier League victory since 2002. Beyond goals, his knack for holding up play and ranking among the league’s top 25 for take-ons showed his all-around contribution.
Delap’s Journey to Chelsea
Liam Delap is the son of former Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap. Liam began his youth career at Derby County before departing for Manchester City in 2019. He developed alongside current Chelsea players Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia. Building a reputation for his physical presence and work rate. He made a handful of senior appearances for City, scoring on his debut in a League Cup fixture during the 2020/21 season.
At City, he stood out, banging in goals for the under-18s. But with limited chances at the Etihad, he took on loan spells to build experience. First at Stoke City, then Preston North End, and later Hull City, where he notched eight goals in 31 outings. In July 2024, he sealed a permanent switch to Ipswich Town for £15 million.
His performances last season, particularly his hold-up play and willingness to battle defenders, have been noted as key strengths. His development through the English football pyramid has provided him with a solid foundation of experience, setting him up for this next chapter with Chelsea.
Fitting into Maresca’s System
Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Delap in Manchester City’s academy, typically employs a possession-based system. He often uses a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. The central striker in Maresca’s setup is pivotal. Not just for scoring goals, but also for their ability to link play and press from the front.
Delap’s physical presence and willingness to run the channels will offer a different dimension to Chelsea’s attack. His experience as a lone striker at Ipswich has prepared him for the demands of leading the line. Under Maresca, Delap will be expected to be a focal point in the attacking line. His duties will be holding up the ball to bring midfielders and wingers into play. He also has positional sense to be in the right areas to convert chances created by a team that expects to dominate possession. His prior relationship with Maresca suggests an existing understanding of the tactical demands. It should definitely mean a smooth integration into the squad.
His first chance to impress will be at the upcoming Club World Cup, where both Chelsea and Liam will be competing. In fact, he was even recalled from the England U21 squad to participate in.
