Transfer Live: Delap joins Chelsea from Ipswich as the striker set to reunite with Enzo Maresca, Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia
Amid ongoing summer transfer window, Chelsea have announced the signing of Ipswich striker Liam Delap In a £30m deal.
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
The Blues are said to have paid £20m upfront, with the rest said to be paid in instalment, as Ipswich Town also inserted a sell-on clause in the deal that takes their young striker to Stamford Bridge.
During his first interview at Chelsea, the England U21 told Chelsea’s official website: “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach.
“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”
“Growing up watching this club and how incredible it has been over the years, I wanted to come here to win trophies”, he added.
“When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that.
“The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective.”
Delap’s move to Chelsea qualifies him to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup taking place in the United States, which would see him potentially making his debut against LAFC on 16th June, 2025.
We can recall that Liam Delap is the second Signing of the summer, by Chelsea, following the arrival of midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon.
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
The Blues look to be very active in the coming weeks as they already eye a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
It Is Time For A New Challenge – Delap
Liam Delap, while at Ipswich Town, netted 12 goals in 37 matches in his first Premier League season with the club, despite Kieran McKenna’s team being relegated back into the Championship.
chelsea went ahead of other clubs to sign Delap following their success in UEFA Conference League−where they beat Real Betis in the final.
Their fourth-placed finish in the English Premier League qualifies them for Champions League football next season.
The young English striker, in his social media post, said goodbye to Ipswich, conceding it was right time for him to seek a “new challenge.”
He said on his Instagram story: “Thank you for everything, Ipswich Town.
“The team, manager, staff & club have been incredible from the moment I arrived. To the fans, I appreciate the support you gave me week in week out, from the stands at home and on the road.
“I’m sure this club will be back in the Premier League soon, where it belongs. I’ll never forget my time at the Town! Now it’s time for a new challenge.”
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
Delap is set to reunite with Enzo Maresca, Cole palmer and Romeo Lavia at his new club, Chelsea, whom he knew from early years at Manchester City.
After Delap’s move to Chelsea, Manchester City are entitled to 20 per cent sell-on clause inserted in a deal that took him to Ipswich Town in 2024.
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
Delap Will Be Playing At Club World Cup, Not U21s Euros
Liam Delap is qualified to play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup due to FA’s inability to enforce his role in the England team for the U21s Europeans Championship because the junior European tournaments not within the FIFA international window.
FIFA rules allows national associations to tell selected players to prioritise their country ahead of club commitments, but this condition only falls within pre-agreed dates for international competitions.
The U21s Euros will kick-off in Slovakia on 11th, June, 2025, but FIFA international window valid till 10th June.
James McAtee, Nico O’Reilly and Nico Lewis all made Lee Carsley’s squad, but only McAtee will be part of the England U21 squad, following City’s struck agreement with the FA on his situation.
O’Reilly and Lewis will travel with Manchester City’s squad for the inaugural FIFA club tournament in the United States.
The England U21 manager Lee Carsley is said to be good with the situation, admitting that some other national teams, at the U21s Euros, will be more adversely affected than England.
How Devastating Delap Can Be At Chelsea
Liam Delap is not just a striker to ameliorate Chelsea’s attack, but a forward with so much to get the best out of the Blues’ star player, Cole Palmer, because Delap and Palmer teamed up together and worked to great result in the Manchester City academy.
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
Since their U18 days, both players had played 33 times for City or England’s youth teams.
The pair recorded 28 wins and 2 losses. Regarding their point-per-game stats, Palmer has only recorded better stats with one player in his playing career−Bernardp Silva.
His success with Delap can be compared to the one he enjoyed with Rodri, who is yet to lose a game for Manchester City.
“I think they’re so linked because of the ability of one to serve the other,” Brian Barry-Murphy, the coach who worked with both players in the Man City Elite Development Squad, tells Sky Sports.
“You’ll have seen Cole speak recently about how he wants to play forward, be expressive and aggressive. Liam is the one who will be willing to make those movements.
“At City, we would always speak about Liam having no reason not to make the run because Cole will find you. And it’ll be very interesting to see how that will manifest
itself under Enzo Maresca.”
Transfer Live: Delap Joins Chelsea From Ipswich
