What is Chelsea Getting with Liam Delap?
Chelsea just unveiled their newest striker, Liam Delap, who made the move from relegated side Ipswich Town. The Blues triggered the 30 million pound release clause for the young Englishman. Delap had played under current Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca while they were both at Manchester City’s academy. Delap’s contract keeps him in London until 2031 as he joins a long list of young Chelsea players on long contracts. With the Blues starting their Club World Cup run shortly, what can they expect from their newest signing?
1. At Worst, Depth at Striker
Whether Maresca prefers Delap to his current striker, Nicolas Jackson, remains to be seen. That said, with Marc Guiu not panning out yet and with Christopher Nkunku likely leaving, Delap adds depth to the one thin position Chelsea has, striker. Jackson finished with 10 league goals, and Delap had 12, while playing in seven more matches, making it difficult to rank them. Regardless, having Delap added to the team should create competition at the number nine spot, which could help at least one of the players improve. Having two competent strikers will also be important for the Blues, who will play at least eight Champions League matches and the Club World Cup.
2. A Finisher
The biggest thing that Delap provides for Chelsea is a finishing touch. His finishing numbers were impressive considering he scored 12 league goals on an XG of 9.3. Jackson, on the other hand, underperformed his XG by 2.3 goals, suggesting Delap is a better finisher. Delap also has Jackson beat for goals per shot and goals per shot on target. This is an encouraging sign for Chelsea as Delap’s shot volume and quality of shots should improve by playing for a better team. Unlike his year at Ipswich, Delap won’t have to be the driving force of an attack, and he’ll be playing with elite players like Cole Palmer or Moisés Caicedo, who can help him get shots off.
3. Another Element of Ball Progression
The strongest attribute Delap has over Jackson is his ability to take on defenders. Delap finished in the 88th percentile of successful take-ons among Premier League forwards, while Jackson was in the 54th. Again, this is especially impressive for someone who played for a relegated side. This means that Chelsea now have two players, Delap and Palmer, who present pressing issues for central defenders with their ball-carrying ability. Delap’s skill set adds another depth to the attack that Chelsea’s opponents will have to plan for. Delap and Jackson will present different challenges that defenders will need to address. Chelsea’s latest signing carries a new layer to an attack that needs to improve if the Blues want to claim more silverware.
