The wait is over. After weeks of transfer speculation, Liam Delap has finally been confirmed as a Chelsea player.
The Blues announced on Wednesday night that Liam Delap has joined them from Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old striker has signed at Stamford Bridge on a six-year deal following Chelsea’s decision to activate his £30m release clause.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca was a factor in Delap choosing Chelsea because he previously managed him in Manchester City’s academy. Also, the English centre-forward was drawn towards Champions League football next season.
Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara disagree on Liam Delap
TalkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara disagreed on one thing after Chelsea confirmed their first signing of the summer.
While Cundy is confident that Delap is an upgrade on Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson in the striker position, O’Hara disagrees with him.
Cundy told talkSPORT: “He’s better than Jackson. We saw that last season.”
O’Hara replied: “I think Jackson is going to stand there and think he’s better than Liam Delap… He’s (Delap) a good player. He deserves the move. He deserves to be playing Premier League football. I don’t think he’s going to take you to the next level, but I think he’s a really good player.”
Later on, Cundy insisted: “He’s better than Jackson. I’m telling you that.”
O’Hara responded: “I don’t know if he is.”
Cundy said: “He’s an upgrade on Jackson.”
O’Hara responded: “Not a massive one.”
Jackson, 23, has been the undisputed first-choice striker at Chelsea across the last two seasons. He’s now got some serious competition for the starting position, though.
Jackson is ‘a bit unhappy’ with Chelsea because of the transfer speculation that they are looking at signing two new attackers this summer.
Interestingly, Manchester United believe Chelsea would sell Jackson if a suitable transfer bid were made.
Liam Delap vs Nicolas Jackson
The debate that Cundy and O’Hara held over Delap and Jackson is surely one that the entire Chelsea fanbase will be discussing.
In reality, both are young and exciting strikers with lots of room for development.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Liam Delap | 37 | 12 | 2 |
| Nicolas Jackson | 30 | 10 | 5 |
While Delap looked a real handful in England’s top division last year in a poor Ipswich side that suffered relegation, the challenge for him will be replicating his form in a Chelsea team that dominates possession.
As for Jackson, he’s been hit and miss during two years leading the line for the Blues.
Gary Neville likes the Delap signing because he thinks he can compete well alongside Jackson for a starting role. He would even add a third new striker to the Blues squad.
