Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wasn’t surprised to see Liam Delap excel in Ipswich Town’s remarkable victory over the Blues on Monday night.
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Delap opened the scoring from the penalty spot at Portman Road, setting the stage for a memorable performance. Omari Hutchinson sealed the win in the 53rd minute, earning Ipswich their first triumph over Chelsea since 1993.
Maresca, who previously coached Delap during his time at Manchester City’s academy, acknowledged the striker’s quality. When asked about Delap’s impact, he said, “This is Liam. I’ve known him for some time. Perhaps we could’ve defended better in certain moments, but congratulations to him and the team.”
Chelsea has reportedly shown interest in the 21-year-old forward, who netted his seventh Premier League goal this season during the match.
Maresca, speaking before the game, predicted a bright future for Delap on the international stage, calling him a “fantastic player” with the potential to become a regular for England.
“Liam is a brilliant striker, especially for his age. When I worked with him, he scored 22 or 24 goals in a season. He works hard on and off the ball, understands the game, and consistently finds the net. England has many talented players, but Liam stands out,” said Maresca.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna also heaped praise on Delap, highlighting his rapid development. “Liam is improving constantly. His style is unique, and he’s holding his own against top Premier League defenders every week. He was exceptional tonight, as were many of our players.”
The game proved frustrating for Chelsea, with Maresca reflecting on his team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities. “It was a strange match,” he said.
“We created numerous chances, especially early in the second half, but the second goal shifted the momentum. We hit the post, saw shots saved by the goalkeeper and defenders, and couldn’t convert. Credit to Ipswich for their determination—they defended with incredible desire.”
The loss denied Chelsea the chance to climb back to second in the Premier League table, while Ipswich celebrated a historic victory.
