The upcoming summer transfer window is going to be very important for Chelsea. After the Club World Cup triumph, the expectation was that the team would take the next step this season. That has not happened. They still find themselves in a fight to qualify for the Champions League. Premier League contention seems far off in the distance.
Chelsea did make quite a few signings in the previous summer transfer window. But they did not address some shortcomings of this squad. On the other hand, some of the additions were simply not good enough.
Liam Delap is someone who seems to fall under that category. The English striker was signed from Ipswich Town for a £30 million transfer fee after the Tractors got relegated.
Delap has only managed two goals in 24 appearances this season across all competitions, and just one in the Premier League. That is nowhere near good enough for a Chelsea striker, even for the cover option.
There have been some suggestions that Nicolas Jackson could have a future at Chelsea after the managerial change. On the other hand Delap’s Stamford Bridge career could be over sooner than anybody expected.
Everton have made Chelsea’s Liam Delap a top target for the summer
According to Football Insider, Everton have made Delap a top target for the summer transfer window. Chelsea are ready to sanction an exit and hope to recoup the £30 million fee they paid as they look for a new senior striker.
Delap does have until the end of the season to prove the doubters wrong. He has had some decent outings in recent times. But overall, he simply is not doing enough to have a long-term future at Chelsea.
Joao Pedro, on the other hand, has been a standout since Liam Rosenior took over as manager. If he can continue on this run of form, Chelsea might have found their number 9. They do need a quality backup though. Will that be Delap, a returning Jackson, an incoming Emmanuel Emegha or somebody else?
Delap needs to have a great end to the season
Delap’s Chelsea career is not over by any means. But he will have to improve drastically if he wants to continue at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have shown that they are willing to move on players rapidly if things don’t work out. Renato Veiga, Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are perfect examples. So, it is not improbably to think that they might do the same with Delap.
It is also worth mentioning that Everton are not the only club being linked with Delap right now. Manchester United seem to have interest as well, having missed out last summer.
