Chelsea target Liam Delap has described one current Blues star as one of the world’s best players right now.
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, 22, is heavily linked with a potential move to Chelsea in the upcoming summer transfer window.
It’s been claimed that Chelsea are favourites to sign Liam Delap, who’s been a long-term target. The fact that Blues head coach Enzo Maresca previously worked with the English centre-forward in Manchester City’s academy could work in their favour, too.
Even though Delap has been part of an Ipswich side relegated from the Premier League this season, he’s impressed by scoring 12 top-flight goals.
Darren Bent thinks Liam Delap would be risky for Chelsea because the 22-year-old forward would be another signing with an eye on the future.
Liam Delap amazed by what Cole Palmer is doing
Delap previously shared the dressing room with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer as a youngster, so it’ll be interesting to see if they’re reunited at Stamford Bridge next season.
Delap actually rates the 23-year-old attacking midfielder as one of the world’s elite players.
He told Sky Sports Premier League: “Him (Cole Palmer) and Macca (James McAtee) were both there behind me, and you know it helped me so much to score. To win games with them two behind me, it was so good to have two quality players like that. Obviously Cole now – the stuff he’s done in the last two years is incredible, and he is one of the better players in the world at the moment.”
Delap, who’s got a £30m release clause (BBC) in his Ipswich deal this summer, already has a great understanding on the pitch with Palmer.
The duo have played together in Man City’s academy as well as at youth level with England.
| Matches played together | Wins | Draws | Losses | Joint goal participation |
| 33 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
Chelsea believe Liam Delap could emulate Cole Palmer by following a ‘similar trajectory’ if he joins them. Of course, we’ll only know if he’s ready to step up to major club if he gets the opportunity.
Cole Palmer is one of the best
Even though Palmer’s form dipped in 2025, it’s still been a really encouraging second season for him in West London. It feels like he’s regaining form just in time for some crunch fixtures in May, too.
The left-footed attacking midfielder has scored 15 goals and created 10 assists in 42 Blues appearances across all competitions this season.
Jermaine Jenas applauded Cole Palmer by predicting he could become one of the best players on the planet at some stage. Well, we think he may be closer to that than people think. The key is giving him the platform to play in next season’s Champions League, though.
For any new striker that joins Chelsea, it’s important they strike up a good partnership with Palmer. It’s a huge tick by Delap’s name when looking at the striker targets that he’s got an existing relationship with him.
