The first major test by Liam Delap in Chelsea will not be on the field- it will navigate through a club versus Country row.
Chelsea is getting closer to the £ 30 million striker who has already agreed personal conditions.
And they want him to be available for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
But that tournament clashes with England's plans to include him in their team for the UEFA Under-21 European Championship, which starts on June 12.
Delap scored 12 goals and gave two assists for relegated Ipswich last season and his versions seem to have had a switch to the capital.
But he is about to mix in a part of the unwanted politics of the beautiful game.
Delap reportedly had offers from Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea.
But journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Thomas Tuchel convinced him that a Champions League platform would increase its chances to make the England 2026 World Cup.
Chelsea, fresh from winning the Europa Conference League, has not wasted time splashing the money on Delap.
United was supposed to be front runners to land the English under-21 star of England.
But a disastrous end of their season – in contrast to the strong finish of Chelsea – is supposed to have tipped the balance.
Delap was also coached by Enzo Maresca during his time at the Academy of Manchester City, while Joe Shields – now at Chelsea – played a key role to bring him from Derby to City in 2019.
Sunsport understands that all these factors have played a key role in convincing one of the smartest young talents in England to join Chelsea.
But as with every top club, Delap has to get used to the heart of Club vs Country Tug-of-Wars when international and domestic tasks overlap.
Chelsea has let Nicolas Jackson lead the line for the past two seasons, but he has not succeeded in completely convincing fans that he is the man to help them move forward.