Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is a huge fan of one Chelsea player and wishes he were at Mikel Arteta’s side.
Heading into the summer, the Blues already had a strong squad and have now added to it. The likes of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr have all joined Enzo Maresca‘s group ahead of the Club World Cup.
Maresca recently discussed Essugo and Sarr’s arrivals, warning that the pair need to be given time.
Walcott is now envious of Chelsea following one of their recent purchases, questioning why Arsenal never made a move for the player.
Theo Walcott disappointed Arsenal weren’t in race for Liam Delap
Many in the game have been speaking about Delap following his move from Ipswich Town to Chelsea, with the forward being one of the most exciting young players in English football right now.
Olivier Giroud recently gave his verdict on Delap, and now his former Arsenal teammate Walcott has given his own thoughts on the 22-year-old.
“Delap going to Chelsea worries me as an Arsenal fan,” Walcott told The Athletic. “I know they have been going for that No 9, that Didier Drogba type, it’s that curse of the No 9. Delap can break that curse because he’s a really good striker. He’s the next one after Harry Kane for England.
“[It] disappoints me as an Arsenal fan if you don’t go after someone like that. You can see it in him as well, you can see his fight. He doesn’t care who he plays against.”
While Arsenal were not one of Delap’s suitors, the England Under-21 international did attract interest from other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United.
In the end, though, Delap decided to pick Chelsea over United and other teams in England. The former Ipswich star could now make his debut for Chelsea when the Blues take on Giroud’s Los Angeles FC side in the Club World Cup on Monday.
What Theo Walcott has said about Chelsea target Morgan Rogers
Delap could be joined at Chelsea by another ex-Manchester City academy player, Morgan Rogers.
Chelsea are interested in signing Rogers from Aston Villa this summer, but while Walcott is a fan of the 22-year-old, he does not think he should play up front.
Thomas Tuchel used him there in England’s 3-1 defeat to Senegal, an experiment Walcott has criticised.
“The other day when Morgan Rogers came on, he was non-existent in a position he is not used to, even though he’s a very good player,” the retired England international was quoted as saying by The Athletic. “He likes to drive with the ball, so why have players in positions where they are not used to playing?”
At Chelsea, you would expect Rogers to play behind Delap or on the wing if the Conference League winners do go on to sign him.
