Of all of BlueCo’s signings over the last 12 months, Liam Delap has probably had it the worst. That is some going, considering Chelsea have also signed Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho in that time.
Last summer, Chelsea signed some top players. Joao Pedro has gone on to become Chelsea’s Player of the Season for 25-26 after scoring 23 goals and laying on nine assists following his move from Brighton.
Nicolas Jackson or Liam Delap, which one are you keeping? Tell us who and why!
Jorrel Hato has become a key player, while Estevao is a fan favourite. But there were some poor signings too, with Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, Garnacho, Gittens and Delap all struggling in the blue of Chelsea.
Delap managed just one Premier League goal all season after his £30m move from Ipswich Town, and while he did score against Barcelona in the Champions League, doubts are emerging over his future.
Liam Delap in limbo as Kieran McKenna makes decision
For the last five years, Kieran McKenna has built a wonderful reputation as Ipswich manager. In those five seasons, McKenna has won promotion from League One once and twice from the Championship.
As young English managers go, McKenna is right up there. Despite guiding Ipswich to promotion, the former Man United coach has now decided to resign as Ipswich boss and take a break from football.
The news comes as a shock, with McKenna linked with replacing Marco Silva at Fulham. A reunion was being touted between Delap and McKenna, whether that might have been at Fulham or back at Ipswich.
But now, with McKenna choosing to step back from football for the time being, Delap’s chances of a move to Ipswich or Fulham have plummeted. It leaves Delap in limbo at Chelsea under Xabi Alonso.
Other clubs are interested and is there a way back under Alonso?
Of course, an incoming manager at Fulham or Ipswich may decide to make a move for Delap anyway. Delap’s only Premier League goal came against Fulham during Calum McFarlane’s first interim spell.
You’ve voted Liam Delap as Chelsea’s biggest underperformer! Why has he struggled so much?
Other clubs are interested. Man United, Everton, Sunderland, Brighton and Newcastle have also been linked with Delap, but this is a summer in which Delap needs to get his career back on track.
He needs to join a side where he is going to start football matches. He doesn’t do that at Man United, Brighton or Newcastle. Sunderland and Everton, perhaps, but a move to Fulham or Ipswich made sense.
Ipswich, where he is a fan favourite or Fulham, who have just lost Raul Jimenez. It will be interesting to see if Alonso fancies Delap and whether he gives him a second chance, but for now, that remains unclear.
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