Enzo Maresca has showered praise on one of the Premier League’s rising stars, Liam Delap, who has been attracting significant interest from Chelsea.
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The 21-year-old forward, currently plying his trade at Ipswich Town, has been linked with a big-money move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, still reeling from their injury-time loss to Fulham on Boxing Day, are set to face Ipswich on Monday. The Blues are favorites against the struggling Tractor Boys, who sit 19th in the league and are yet to secure a home win since their return to the top flight.
However, Ipswich’s performances have often been better than their results suggest, and Delap has been a standout performer.
Delap, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer for £20 million, has impressed in his debut Premier League campaign with six goals and an assist in 16 appearances. His performances have caught the eye of both Chelsea and Manchester United, who are reportedly tracking the England U21 star closely.
Maresca, who coached Delap during his time at Manchester City, spoke highly of the young striker in his pre-match press conference. “Liam is a fantastic player, especially for his age,” said Maresca. “We spent one year together, and in that season, he scored 22 or 24 goals. He’s a very good striker, works hard on and off the ball, understands the game, and can score goals. For his age, he could become an important player for England.”
Chelsea, despite their wealth of attacking talent, are eager to bolster their forward line. According to The Athletic, Delap is on a “five to 10 player shortlist” for potential striker signings. However, any move is likely to be delayed until the summer, as the club has ruled out January transfers.
Ipswich’s gain has been Manchester City’s loss, with Shay Given criticizing Pep Guardiola’s decision to let academy graduates like Delap leave. “We’ve seen the impact of ex-Manchester City players like Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Jadon Sancho. Now Liam Delap is shining at Ipswich. City are in a rut, and letting these young players go hasn’t helped,” Given remarked.
As Chelsea prepare to face Ipswich, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Delap. With scouts watching closely, the young striker could have a big opportunity to prove why he belongs on the biggest stage.
