Expert: Chelsea plan to accept 'big' Liam Delap offer after what they saw
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(Credit: Imago) ‘I’ve watched Liam Delap closely’ – This is why Chelsea plan to accept ‘big’ offer Thu 26 February 2026 10:38, UK Chelsea are prepared to let Liam Delap leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window amid growing interest from Premier League rivals.The 23-year-old has endured a difficult season since joining from Ipswich Town last summer with just two goals to his name after 25 appearances in all competitions.Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that after his performance against Hull City in the FA Cup, doubts about Delap‘s future at Chelsea have grown.The striker was wasteful with his chances and did not look like his usual combative and competitive self, despite picking up three assists in the game.Instead, Liam Rosenior was forced to rely on his wide men to provide the goals as Pedro Neto bagged a hattrick, and concerns have lingered about their centre-forwards.Credit: ImagoRead more: Alan Shearer slammed Delap for what he did against Hull.Chelsea plan to accept new Liam Delap offerFootball Insider revealed on 23 February that Rosenior is reluctant to lose Delap this summer, unless Chelsea can sign a new striker to upgrade on their current option. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The Blues are believed to be assessing their options in the transfer market, while they could let the former Man City forward move on for a profit.“I think Chelsea will be open to letting Delap leave,” Brown told Football Insider.“He hasn’t impressed as much as they hoped he might when they signed him from Ipswich, and I was surprised he went there in the first place, to be honest.“I watched Chelsea against Hull, my old club, in the FA Cup and was disappointed with Delap.“Normally when you watch him, you know roughly what you’re going to get.
He’s aggressive, competitive, likes to battle for the ball and bully defenders.“But his performance didn’t look like one of a young, hungry, aggressive striker looking to prove himself and cement his place in the team.“He was wasteful with his opportunities in front of goal, and it was left again to Pedro Neto to do the business in that department.“For a team like Chelsea, who are going to have ambitions of winning silverware, I think you need a striker who is going to be a regular source of goals.“Delap hasn’t done anything yet to show me that’s who he is going to be, so I’m sure they’ll be looking at other options and that might mean they let him go if a big offer comes in.”Read more: Could Chelsea make a move to sign Julian Alvarez?Who is leading the race to sign Delap from Chelsea?A number of Premier League clubs were interested in signing Delap before his move to Stamford Bridge, and that interest is believed to have lingered.Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 February that Delap is a top target for Everton ahead of the summer window as they aim to bolster their attacking ranks.David Moyes is not convinced about his current striker options at Everton and had also pushed to bring the striker to the Hill Dickinson Stadium last summer.Credit: ImagoBrown told Football Insider on 24 February that Moyes would love to sign Delap and sees him as a major upgrade on the current options available to him.Both Beto and Thierno Barry have been widely criticised for their performances this season and Everton are now expected to be leading contenders for the Chelsea man.For more Chelsea and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.