Although Ipswich Town spent one season back in the Premier League after a 22 -year absence, the shape of their frontman, Liam Delap, was one of the highlights in a disappointing campaign.
The 22-year-old could be mentioned as a 'traditional' Center-Forward in view of the way in which he threw up opposition distribution and helped himself to 12 of the 36 goals of Ipswich in 2024/25.
Although it is often assumed that the more modern striker needs a few tools in their arsenal, Delap without a doubt showed that there is still a place for those players who are only interested in placing the ball in the back of the net.
Liam Delap XG for Ipswich Town in 2024/25Opta perform by statistics
Only because there may be nothing special about his all -round game, that Delap is not one of those players who seems to have the smartest futures in the game.
He will not give defenders for a moment of peace, bully and make them Harry in 90 minutes what is usually an All-Action version.
Chelsea abandoned the Premier League competition to sign Delap
Chelsea has already seen clear enough to give up £ 30 million to make him their first signing of this summer, while Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton were apparently also interested in his services.
“I understand the status of this club and can see the process it is with these players and the head coach,” said Delap after put it on paper.
“It will be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club to win more trophies.”
You would expect that, although you have to sharpen the other aspects of his game, Delap does not go to Stamford Bridge to sit on the couch.
The strikers of Chelsea performed in the back in 2024/25
Nicolas Jackson was Chelsea manager, the striker of Enzo Maresca of your choice in 2024/25, although he himself managed only 10 goals, as well as five assists.
Christopher Nunku, who has never really played his best football in West, scored a meager seven goals in 31 games, and it would be no surprise whatsoever if he was the autumn man.
The ability that Delap has when holding the ball and bringing teammates into play is unparalleled, and his size and build will ensure that he will win more headers than he loses.
Liam Delap Radar Graphic for 2024/25Opta by statistics.
The fact that Cole Palmer both scored the most goals (15) and delivered most assists (12) says a lot about why the blues did not hung about bringing in a proven goal scorer and a player who could be a real asset thanks to his skills.
A player who won 61 of his air duels last season is exactly what his Chelsea needs attacking colleagues, but strangely enough, none of Delap's 12 goals were headers. Eleven of them came out of the box and while that proves that there are goals in the penalty area, which is still a criminal waste of one of the nuclear strengths of his natural game.
Delap should look at 20+ goals per season
With people like Palmer, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke who deliver the bullets in the future, there is a reasonable expectation that things will change quickly in that respect.
If you consider that Delap does not have to go for opportunities itself, an important upgrade must follow in the number of goals he scores.
Undoubtedly he should be a 20+ goals per seasonal man in a team that is set to fully benefit from what he can bring to the table.
Liam Delap from Ipswich Town celebrates Scorebradley Collyer, PA Images / Alamy / Profimedia
Although that immediately puts him pressure, the standard of the performance of Delap for Ipswich and the way in which he took responsibility in most games suggests that he will not be stunned by an extra weight layer on his broad shoulders.
“He tries to improve every day and take on the challenge to play in the Premier League,” said Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna about the striker last season.
“I spoke to him about taking up the challenge to lead a team, because if you are that number nine in a team that came from where we come from, it is a lot of responsibility.
“He takes every day as it comes and does not focus further than that. I think that is exactly the right thing to do.”
Chelsea must ensure that Delap attacks the focual point
His 60.4%shooting accuracy in McKenna's rising side in 24/25 was better than both Jackson (54.7%) and NUKUNKU (60%). 32 shots on the goal also triggered Nkukus 20 and was just shy for Jackson's 36.
If Delap can manage that in a team that played football for Premier League's survival, imagine what he could do with a team that has ambitions to win the biggest prizes in the game.
Enzo Maresca must see him as the center of Chelsea's attack that also improves.
Liam Delap's touches in the box against West Hamopta perform statistics
He is a striker who can play just as well with his back to goal or on the shoulder of the last defender and whose brutal power is just as much as his skill on the ball that the blues have long missed.
Indeed, with strength, pace and eye for goal, it might be that Delap turns out to be the missing piece in the puzzle when it comes to his manager.
The world is certainly his oyster next season.