Chelsea are now watching £20m English player Enzo Maresca thinks is ‘very exciting’

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Chelsea’s recruitment team has now turned their attention to a new striker as a potential transfer target.

There’s been no issue for Chelsea so far this season scoring goals. In fact, they have outscored every club in the Premier League with 15 goals from six gameweeks. However, the Blues continue to be linked in the transfer rumour mill with possible new signings in attack.

When you look at the current Chelsea squad, they’re selecting between Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku as the starting striker. The duo have both started well this season by scoring 10 goals combined across all competitions (Jackson – 4, Nkunku – 6).

Jackson currently has the advantage as the main starting centre-forward in the league. Speaking recently via TNT Sports, Joe Cole praised Chelsea’s Jackson for his current performances.

• READ MORE: Paul Merson names who he prefers to play striker for Chelsea… Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea now looking at Liam Delap

Remarkably, Chelsea have been linked on Tuesday with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed via Substack that Chelsea scouts and sporting directors are now watching Ipswich’s Delap very closely this season.

It is explained that the Blues are looking at the 21-year-old Premier League forward as a potential future target.

Phillips says that Chelsea will go out and sign a new centre-forward in one of the next two transfers windows. However, the profile of that signing will be dictated by the progress of their current frontman Jackson.

For now, Ipswich’s young talent has been added to Chelsea’s striker shortlist and his development will be monitored this campaign.

The rise of Liam Delap

Delap, 21, has had an interesting rise to the top that has now culminated in him playing Premier League football as an Ipswich player.

The English striker came through at Derby County as a youngster before joining Manchester City’s academy in 2019. He’s had several spells out on loan in the Football League and even played six first-team games for Man City, but they sold him to Ipswich in a £20m deal (Sky Sports) in the recent summer transfer window.

Interestingly, the England Under-21 international has previously crossed paths with the current Chelsea head coach when they were both at Man City. In fact, Enzo Maresca delivered glowing praise on Delap back in 2020.

When discussing Delap via Man City’s official website a few years ago, Maresca said: “Physically, he is already ready to compete against professional teams, but he needs time to work to grow and to improve himself. Absolutely he is a very exciting prospect.”

Delap has kickstarted his Ipswich career with three Premier League goals arleady this season, so we’ll be excited to see his performances amid the Chelsea speculation.