Chelsea could soon repeat Cole Palmer trick with an old Enzo Maresca favourite as rumour emerges
12/29/2024 07:15 AM
Chelsea are still looking to sign another striker ahead of next summer despite Nicolas Jackson’s form and they may have found the perfect player.
The Blues have been flying in the Premier League and they are hoping that Enzo Maresca’s team could return to the Champions League. Being back in Europe’s elite competition will bring about the need for greater depth in their squad in certain areas and a centre-forward is one of those positions.
Maresca is now being tipped to bring in a player who he is very familiar with and who could repeat the same trick which they managed with Cole Palmer.
Chelsea and Liam Delap is a situation to watch
Chelsea are showing an internal appreciation for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist claims that Maresca’s recent comments on the 21-year-old should not be underestimated.
The Chelsea boss offered a glowing report on the former Man City star claiming he will soon play for England. He told the media: “Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age. I think we spent one year together and he scored [about] 22 to 24 goals. He is a very good striker. England have many good players, many good strikers [but] he’s working hard off the ball and on the ball, understands the game and can score goals. I think he can be an important player for England.”
The Italian manager previously worked with Delap during his time at Manchester City’s Under-21s and the West London club will be fully aware of the gems who have left that team. Palmer was part of the same youth team as Delap and Chelsea could repeat the same trick by signing another youngster who City deemed surplus to requirements.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “We should not underestimate what Enzo Mareca said on Liam Delap. Delap is a former Manchester City player, he used to work with Enzo Maresca – he knows him well. So the feeling is very positive. Maresca said how good Delap is in his opinion and some very good words.
“So he’s considered a very good player internally at Chelsea. Now, for January he looks unlikely to find a solution for Delap to leave Ipswich in this situation, so he could be a name to watch in the summer.”
Why Chelsea still want another striker
Chelsea are keen to sign another striker next summer in the anticipation that they will have Champions League football next season. The Blues will want better squad depth in the number nine position if they are to return to the big time and competition for Nicolas Jackson will be important.
Marc Guiu is their current alternative to the Senegalese striker, however, his lack of game time at Stamford Bridge suggests Maresca is not convinced by the former Barcelona man. Romano added: “The expectation is for the summer, in terms of a new striker at Chelsea, something could still happen.
“It doesn’t mean they are unhappy with Nicolas Jackson, they are very happy with him, he’s doing very well, but Chelsea hope to be back in the Champions League next season so they will need more depth in terms of strikers and so Delap is a player they have been monitoring. He is not the only name, but one to watch.”
