Why Liam Delap Needs to Step Up as Chelsea’s Central Attacking Figure

While Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League lasted just a single season after a 22-year hiatus, the form of their striker, Liam Delap, stood out as a highlight in an otherwise underwhelming campaign.

At 22, Delap showcases the qualities of a classic centre-forward, bulldozing through adversaries and netting 12 of Ipswich’s 36 goals in the 2024/25 season.

Despite the narrative that modern strikers require a diverse skill set, Delap has demonstrated that there is still ample opportunity for players whose primary focus is finding the back of the net.

While his play may not feature any particularly flashy elements, it by no means undermines Delap’s potential as a player with a promising future ahead.

He’s relentless, constantly pressuring defenders throughout the match, embodying a performance style that’s both aggressive and engaging.

Chelsea Beat Premier League Rivals to Secure Delap

Chelsea evidently recognised his talent, investing £30m to make him their first summer acquisition, with interest also coming from Manchester United, Newcastle, and Everton.

“I recognise the significance of this club and the positive direction it is heading with its players and management,” Delap remarked after signing.

“This is a fantastic environment for my development, and I aspire to achieve great things here while contributing to more trophies for the club.”

It’s expected that, despite needing to refine other facets of his game, Delap won’t be joining Chelsea to warm the bench.

Chelsea’s Strikers Struggled in 2024/25

Under manager Enzo Maresca, Nicolás Jackson was the preferred striker for Chelsea in the 2024/25 season, managing only 10 goals and five assists. Christopher Nkunku, who has yet to find his reputed form in London, scored a meagre seven goals in 31 appearances, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he became the scapegoat.

Delap’s exceptional ability to hold the ball up and involve team-mates is unrivalled, and with his physical attributes, he is likely to dominate aerial duels.

With Cole Palmer notching the highest number of goals (15) and assists (12), it highlights the Blues’ urgency to acquire a reliable goalscorer with the potential to be a valuable asset, given Delap’s skill set.

Having won 61 of his aerial duels last season, Delap is a strong addition to Chelsea’s attacking line-up, yet curiously, not one of his 12 goals came from headers. Eleven of those were scored within the penalty area, which, while demonstrating his instinct for scoring, underutilises his heading ability.

Delap Poised for 20+ Goals Each Season

With the likes of Palmer, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke providing support, expectations should rise regarding Delap’s ability to convert goal-scoring opportunities.

Given that he will have fewer difficulties in creating his chances, one would reasonably anticipate a considerable increase in his goal tally.

In all fairness, he should become a 20-goal-a-season striker in a team optimised to utilise his strengths.

This places immediate expectations on him, yet Delap’s performances for Ipswich and his accountability in matches suggest he’s more than capable of meeting the challenge.

“He aims to improve daily and embrace the challenge of competing in the Premier League,” Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said of the striker last season.

“I’ve discussed with him the importance of leading a team because being the number nine in a team emerging from a tough situation carries significant responsibility. He approaches each day without focusing too far ahead, and that’s precisely the right mindset.”

Chelsea Must Make Delap the Centrepiece of Their Attack

Delap’s shooting accuracy of 60.4% in McKenna’s developing squad in 24/25 outperforms both Jackson (54.7%) and Nkunku (60%). His 32 shots on target exceed Nkunku’s 20 and are just shy of Jackson’s 36.

If Delap can achieve these numbers with a team striving for survival in the Premier League, imagine his potential output with a squad that has its sights set on the top accolades.

Enzo Maresca must view Delap as a central figure in Chelsea’s offensive strategy moving forward.

He possesses the versatility to play effectively with his back to goal or stalking the last defender, showcasing both strength and skill—an asset Chelsea has long desired.

Indeed, with his combination of power, pace, and a keen eye for goal, Delap could turn out to be the missing piece of the puzzle for the manager.

Next season holds immense potential for him.