Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, calling the Blues target a “fantastic player”.
Last month it turned out to be Chelsea were among the suitors for the 21-year-old Delapwho has six goals in 17 games this season ahead of the two teams meeting on Monday.
Few managers know Delap better than Maresca, who coached the youngster to 27 goals in 22 games for Manchester City’s under-23 side in 2020/21, and the Chelsea boss was not shy about praising the young striker.
Liam is a fantastic player, said Maresca. “Also for his age, we spent a year together. I think he scored 22 or 24 goals that season.
“This is a very good striker – as I have said many times, England are very lucky because they have very good players, very good strikers, and he works hard with the ball, on the ball, he understands the game and can score goals.
“Because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England.”
Despite their interest, Chelsea he is not expected to move in January, when Ipswich would likely be reluctant to accept offers anyway. Kieran McKenna’s side are 19th in the Premier League table and will need Delap’s goals if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship.
However, a summer transfer could be a possibility – especially if Ipswich fail to avoid the drop – though City could have the final say as they are believed to have a buyout clause for Delap to return to the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea are known to want another striker to rival Nicolas Jackson and are said to be tracking as many as ten potential targets, with the aim of settling on one before the summer window opens.
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