Two years ago, Liam Delap was navigating the challenges of Championship football, scoring just four goals across a season. Fast forward to today, the 21-year-old Ipswich Town striker is making waves in the Premier League, with his performances sparking discussions about an England senior team call-up.
A Promising Start to the Premier League
Since his £20m transfer from Manchester City to Ipswich, Delap has quickly adapted to the top flight:
- Goals Galore: Delap has scored eight league goals in 20 matches this season, more than any Arsenal player and second only to Erling Haaland at City.
- Physical and Technical Balance: Chris Sutton praised Delap’s versatility:
“He can run in behind, hold the ball up, and banjo defenders out of the way. He has a brilliant touch and finishes well.”
A Journey Through Challenges
Delap’s path to the Premier League hasn’t been smooth:
- Youth Stardom: After scoring 35 goals in 36 games for Manchester City’s under-21s, Delap made six first-team appearances, scoring on his debut in the Carabao Cup.
- Loan Struggles: Delap endured tough loan spells at Stoke and Preston, scoring just four goals combined.
- Breakthrough at Hull: A more productive spell at Hull City in 2023-24 saw him score eight goals despite a knee injury keeping him sidelined for three months.
His resilience was key. Former England captain Steph Houghton observed:
“During rehab, you could see his mentality and drive. He turned into an absolute beast physically, and now he’s showing what he can do.”
Ipswich’s Investment Pays Off
Delap’s decision to join Ipswich, over Premier League rivals Southampton, was driven by his desire for consistent playing time and development under manager Kieran McKenna.
- Smart Business: Chris Sutton called Ipswich’s signing of Delap “smart business,” citing his potential and work ethic.
- Big Performances: Delap’s physicality, finishing, and confidence have made him a vital player for Ipswich in their fight to stay up.
England’s Next Striker?
With England manager Thomas Tuchel set to name his first squad in March, Delap’s form has made him a viable candidate.
- Ex-England Striker Alan Shearer: “We’re not blessed with English strikers, and Tuchel will definitely be keeping an eye on him.”
- Delap’s Ambition: The Winchester-born striker remains focused:
“It’s an honor to play for my country. I let my football do the talking. If it comes, it comes.”
Despite interest from the Republic of Ireland, Delap appears committed to England, having represented the country at youth levels.
Future Prospects
With clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham reportedly monitoring Delap, his future looks bright. Manchester City retains a buy-back option, though there’s no suggestion they’ll trigger it soon.
If Ipswich were to face relegation, it’s unlikely Delap would follow them down, given his rising reputation. Sutton sums it up:
“Ipswich are making a great effort to stay up, and Delap is key. But if they go down, there will be plenty of suitors for him.”
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