A look at Liam Delap stats this season will show you that he has only scored 1 single goal this season. This number is nothing less than absolutely shocking for a player who was wanted by the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, Nottingham Forest, AC Milan and Juventus last summer. Delap was once seen as one of the most promising young English strikers in world football, and his release clause of just £30 million after Ipswich's Premier League relegation last season was seen as a bargain fee by all the clubs.
Delap, who netted 12 league goals even as Ipswich endured a difficult season and ended up finishing 19th that Premier League season, was expected to take his game to the next level wherever he ended up joining. The English striker decided to join Chelsea over all the other top clubs mentioned above, and now it looks like he might be regretting his decision to join the Blues.
Liam Delap's shocking debut season at Chelsea
After scoring 12 goals in a struggling Ipswich side in the 2024-25 Premier League season, every football fan out there would've expected Delap to score considerably more for a Chelsea side that's filled with world-class talent in comparison to his former side. Any striker would dream to have a midfield that has the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer supporting him, and yet even with all those players behind him, Delap has unfortunately been a massive flop for Chelsea this season.
In 21 Premier League appearances this season, he has just managed a single goal. Even if you add his other 7 combined appearances from the EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League, he only managed to score 1 in those as well. Thus, in 29 total appearances across all competitions this season, Delap only has a shocking 2 goals.
João Pedro, his Chelsea teammate that plays in his same striker position, has 14 goals to his name and another 5 assists as well. The Brazilian forward is also on his first season at Stamford Bridge, but has had no issues in adapting to his new club, unlike Delap. One of the most worrying things regarding Delap is that most of the Chelsea players had improved since Liam Rosenior took over, but Delap has been one of those exceptions who still looks like the same confused and helpless player. Whether under Maresca or Rosenior, Delap has struggled so far this season.
In our eyes, this is a classic case of a young promising striker joining a big club way too soon than he should've, and unfortunately, we simply see no way back for him at Chelsea.
What should Liam Delap do next?
Liam Delap’s dramatic dip in form has been one of the most surprising storylines of the season. From being one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe to managing just a single league goal, his struggles at Chelsea have raised serious questions about his development and decision-making. Expectations were understandably high after his impressive performances with Ipswich, but things have not gone according to plan at Stamford Bridge.
While it is still early in his career and there is plenty of time to turn things around, Delap will need to rediscover his confidence and consistency quickly. Otherwise, what once looked like a bargain move and a step forward could end up being seen as a setback in his promising career trajectory.
It is quite evident that a move to a huge club like Chelsea was too early for him, and in hindsight, the best decision for him would've been to join a club like Everton or Nottingham Forest, where he would've had less pressure, more opportunities, and enough time to develop into a superstar striker. If we were in his place, we'd be having a call with his agent to seal an exit from Chelsea when the Summer transfer begins, either on loan or permanently to a mid-table Premier League club where he can get his career back on track and then later make it big at Chelsea or another top English club.
