If things go to plan in the summer transfer window, Chelsea could have a new-look attack next season that features Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike.
The Blues have already been heavily linked with several different attackers in the summer transfer window, and Liam Delap is reportedly on his way for £30m to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich Town.
Delap is expected to sign a six-year deal at Chelsea after an impressive season in the Premier League with relegated Ipswich. Fans continue to wait for official confirmation that the 22-year-old centre-forward has joined, though.
Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is another individual linked with Enzo Maresca’s side.
Ekitike is pushing to join Chelsea through his agents, and there is a belief that the German Bundesliga club may eventually decide to lower their £80m valuation.
Chelsea fans predict Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike could work as a partnership
Chelsea supporters on social media agree on the theory that Delap and Ekitike could form a lethal strike partnership next season if they become teammates.
One fan wrote: “Need to run Delap x Ekitike together, they’re too good to be rotating.”
“We could make it work with Delap and Ekitike starting together. In some matches, of course,” another posted.
One supporter claimed: “Hugo Ekitike might form a partnership with Liam Delap, similar to what we saw with Ekitike and Marmoush. Jackson will be the depth for either player.”
“Delap and Ekitike could be a great partnership in attack. Their profiles complement each other so well,” another shared.
Without a doubt, Delap is a traditional No.9 in every sense with his physical and technical traits. In contrast, Ekitike is a bit more versatile in his play in the final third.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Chelsea operate with a front two, but we like the idea of a Delap-Ekitike pairing. Blues fans shouldn’t count out Nicolas Jackson from having a big say next season, too.
Jackson is unhappy with Chelsea because of their pursuit of two new central strikers, but he’s proven himself as a decent option as the Blues’ first-choice frontman in the last two seasons.
Liam Delap could do with an extra hand
Once Delap officially joins, we expect everyone will get behind him. However, it’s quite obvious that it’s a major leap for the English forward, stepping from a relegated side to Champions League football.
We’ve got confidence that he can shine for Chelsea after scoring 12 Premier League goals in a poor Ipswich team last year, but it would be great if he can be rotated in and out of the side in certain moments. That will require strength in depth within Maresca’s squad, though.
Troy Deeney is worried about Delap because he fears he’s taken too big a jump in his career in one go.
If the Blues end up with Delap, Ekitike and Jackson in the same squad, we think it could work for all of them with plenty of rotation and chances.
