August 31, 2019. Manchester City U18S vs Everton U18S. Nobody would have informed the result, but it became a relevant competition six years later.
City's youth team would run out of 3-0 winners. Cole Palmer scored twice – and was sent later, but that is not really the point. The player who set up both goals that day? Liam Delap.
That match was only the fourth time that Delap and Palmer were shown together for the U18s of City, but it was a game that would predict the relationship between the couple.
Four years later, Delap and Palmer started in England -colors -in a U21 match against Luxembourg. This time Delap scored the goal, Palmer helped it.
Those examples were in youth football – now the partnership will be tested at the highest level. Chelsea has agreed a deal to take Delap to Stamford Bridge and to reunite him with two key figures.
The other is head coach Enzo Maresca, who managed Delap when he was in charge of the Elite Development Squad of Manchester City – effectively their B team.
Delap scored 27 goals in 22 games for Maresca. Only one player has scored more for the Italian in his management career – and that is Palmer.
The move is an important step for Delap, especially in comparison with those city days, and could indicate further success for Palmer, who flourished since he made his own move to West London.
Since those U18 days, Palmer and Delap have played 33 times together for the youth teams of City of England. They won 28 and only lost twice.
In terms of points per game, Palmer only has a better record with one player in his career – Bernardo Silva van City. His collaboration with Delap is just as successful as the one he had with Rodri, who hardly loses a game in front of Pep Guardiola.
Will Jackson or Delap Chelsea's no. 9?
To say that Delap just walks into the Chelsea team, because Palmer's best partner is somewhat premature. Especially given the partnership of Palmer with the current No. 9 Nicolas Jackson.
Palmer and Jackson combined this season for a goal in seven different competitions – and 15 in general since the last two years ago moved to Stamford Bridge. The last of those combinations came for the goal of making Chelsea forward in the UEFA Conference League final.
“We talk to each other every day and we will manage each other after competitions,” Palmer said about his Jackson Partnership last December. “We try to work on our relationship to help us on the field and hopefully that work will be displayed.”
But the relationship between Palmer and Delap has the promise to be even better – although Maresca Jackson described as “my perfect no. 9” last season. That's because Jackson is a player who takes the ball in dangerous areas.
Jackson is in 11th place last season of all Premier League players for Progressive Carry the Pitch, but his count was not as good as that of Delap, who was second in the category – behind only Anthony Elanga van Nottingham Forest.
It is one of the many statistics where Delap surpassed Jackson last season, despite playing one side, ranked 15 places lower than Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Delap not only scored more goals than Jackson – and recording better shooting and conversion -bearings – but he also missed almost half as many great opportunities as the Chelsea striker.
“To compare Liam with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, I think it's a bit early,” said Maresca in March.
“But certainly, in terms of style he is that kind of players. They are all real nines. They are nines in the box.”
It is a lot of praise – and Delap can bring the clinical touch that missed his future Chelsea teammates last season, literally.
The Ipswich striker ended in the top 10 players in terms of XG over performance – ie how many extra goals he scored compared to the quality of chance.
In the same statistics, three of Chelsea's first choice Front finished four last season in the top 10 most wasting players in the Premier League.
Chelsea knows very well what Delap can bring -he has harassed the blues -backline in a 2-0 win over Portman Road in December and hardened.
The attacker got a goal and an assist that night. Delap had the answers, while nor even Palmer did not offer Jackson.
Given all the figures and the history that is shared by Delap, Maresca and Palmer, this movement is completely logical.
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