Liam Delap's stellar form at Ipswich Town was predicted by Pep Guardiola, who called the striker 'special' during his time at Manchester City.
The 21-year-old moved to the newly promoted Premier League side last summer for a fee of £20 million plus add-ons and has had an impressive start to life at Portman Road.
Despite Guardiola giving the green light for his departure, the City boss has spoken only positively about his former player, who he once called a 'killer' in front of goal.
Discussing the striker's cameo during an FA Cup win over Fulham in 2022, the Spaniard told Man City.com: “He's the type of striker we don't have. He's a killer, a typical British striker, a incredible finisher.” He has to improve when he falls, his first touch.”
It was almost a dream return to fitness for Delap, who had missed five months of action due to an ankle injury when VAR disallowed his headed goal. “The only problem we had from the start this season is that he was injured,” Guardiola said.
“He had a lot of problems with his ankles and was not fit. He has a special quality. He is a different type of striker. The goal is offside, but he is there. I am happy for him.”
In his first full season in the English top flight, Delap has impressed despite Ipswich being in 18th place, so much so that he has been linked with big-money moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Amid the links, Gary Lineker tipped Delap for a move to one of the league's best sides on The Rest is Football podcast.
'He really has something. I think that will be the case [clubs interested in signing him]', said the English legend. 'With all due respect to Ipswich. I have the same with Leicester, every time they get a really good player they get poached by someone.
“It wouldn't surprise me, because she [strikers] are now worth their weight in gold.” Although both London clubs have spent heavily on attacking players in recent transfer windows, the opportunity to acquire a striker of Delap's quality and youth could prove too difficult to resist.
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