Liam Delap is now officially a Chelsea player, and it’s been announced which shirt number he will wear next season.
Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday night that Liam Delap, 22, has officially joined them from Ipswich Town, penning a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Even though he was part of an Ipswich side relegated from the Premier League last term, he impressed with 12 top-flight goals and earned a marquee transfer move.
Ipswich supporters are convinced Delap will succeed at Chelsea, especially as he’s reuniting with Blues head coach Enzo Maresca after working under him in Manchester City’s academy.
Chelsea confirm Liam Delap’s shirt number
It looks like Delap has signalled his intent to become Chelsea’s main man up top by taking the No.9 shirt.
The Blues confirmed via their official website that Delap will wear the No.9 next season at Stamford Bridge.
The history of Chelsea’s No.9 shirt is a mixed bag. It’s worth remembering that high-profile forwards such as Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata struggled with the weight of it in the past.
Nicolas Jackson turned down the No.9 shirt when he joined Chelsea two years ago because he wanted the No.15. We have huge admiration for Delap seizing the opportunity, though.
While some people have question marks about Delap making the step up from Ipswich to Chelsea next season, it’s pretty obvious that he’s a confident youngster, and he could quickly win the supporters over.
Delap wore the No.19 shirt at Ipswich, which has been vacated at Chelsea by Jadon Sancho, but we admire the confidence to take the No.9.
Chelsea view Liam Delap as England’s future striker
There are currently five Chelsea players with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in June, and we suspect it won’t be too long before Delap receives a maiden senior call-up.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea believe that Delap can be England’s No.9 further down the line.
When looking around to find the eventual long-term successor to Three Lions captain Harry Kane, Delap feels like a logical solution. If he can settle quickly at Chelsea, it should hugely boost any international aspirations.
If he can score 12 Premier League goals in a poor Ipswich side, we’re hopeful he can break the 15-goal barrier in his debut season in West London.
