As Xabi Alonso prepares to trim Chelsea’s bloated attacking ranks this summer, newly promoted Hull City are positioning themselves to offer Liam Delap an escape route.
Liam Delap’s debut campaign at Chelsea didn’t go to plan, falling short of the expectations that his impressive season at Ipswich had set prior to his arrival.
The 23-year-old looked completely isolated, registering just two goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. Rather than showcasing the attacking flair that previously defined his game, Delap seemed more focused on trying to disrupt the opposition and threw his body around too much.
And with his future up in the air, newly promoted Hull City could offer the striker a familiar escape route in the Premier League.
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Acun Ilıcalı claims Liam Delap would rejoin Hull City
Featuring on BeinSports Turkey, Hull City chairman Acun Ilıcalı is convinced that he’d want to join and would add real strength, as well as stating that there may be no place for him this summer at Stamford Bridge.
“He really flourished with us. He’s a special player because he broke through with us. Before joining us, he was scoring three or four goals a season. With us, suddenly he scored 14 or 15 goals, and then he left, as you know. First to Ipswich, and from there to Chelsea. In the season before he left for the Premier League, he played very well.
“Yes, he went back to Chelsea. Now, when you look at him, he’s still a special footballer. But if you’re asking whether he’ll play regularly at Chelsea, that’s not so certain. They’ll probably sign two more players this year. His position will become crowded, and he may not get many minutes.
“Footballers are happiest when they’re playing. That’s a fact. Honestly, I have no doubt that Delap would want to come to us. We had a great season together and we were very happy. His father was also a famous footballer. But getting a player from Chelsea is not easy. If you ask me today whether we could definitely sign Delap, I can’t say that. But he’s a tremendous player. He wouldn’t just add depth to our team—he would add real strength.”
Nicolas Jackson or Liam Delap, which one are you keeping? Tell us who and why!
Liam Delap’s background at Hull City
Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı has a direct working relationship with Liam Delap.
Delap spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Hull City, a move completely orchestrated under Ilıcalı’s ownership. During that highly successful spell in East Yorkshire, Delap thrived as the focal point of the Tigers’ attack, scoring eight goals in 32 Championship appearances.
And let’s not forget that Delap got a hat-trick of assists against Hull City in the FA Cup this season just gone for the Blues.
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