Liam Delap Unveils Another Questionable Choice in the Realm of Top-tier Football Leagues
Liam Delap's debut in the Premier League was unique in various ways.
Entering a practically empty Etihad Stadium during the 2020/21 season, which was partially played behind closed doors, the 18-year-old Delap was inserted into the match against Leicester City during a rare mid-game revamp from Pep Guardiola. This maneuver was unusual for Guardiola's style of management.
The score was 1-1 when Delap replaced midfield stalwart Fernandinho. According to Guardiola, the objective was to put one player in the box with a notable presence and strong heading skills and maintain that position.
"It wasn't an easy task considering they had three center halves on the penalty spot," he added.
Delap had a decent outing that day, but it was a forgettable afternoon for City, who managed to lose the game 2-5.
Regardless of the result, Delap cherished his first experience in top-tier English football.
"That moment for me was probably one of the best moments of my life," Delap shared with the official club website later on.
"As a young boy, all I ever wanted was to play football for a men's team, and that first step in making my debut in the Premier League was incredible."
The next 40 minutes against Leicester City turned out to be the pinnacle of Delap's time with City. He only made one more appearance before being loaned out to various clubs, including Stoke City, Preston North End, and Hull City. Eventually, he was sold to Ipswich Town for $25 million.
Succeeding in Ipswich Town
Ever since establishing himself as the primary striker in Ipswich Town, Delap has relished the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League.
It's not simple to start for a team struggling to avoid relegation, but Delap has already scored seven goals and continues to improve with each game.
His most impressive performance came in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, where Delap both scored and assisted. His manager, Kieran McKenna, was highly impressed: "There were many exceptional individual performances in that game, but Liam was exceptional. There's no denying that," he said afterwards.
"I've been stating that he's improving, and he's a totally different player now compared to July. We're witnessing the improvement of a 21-year-old, showcasing increased maturity, a strong desire to improve, and that's a fantastic sign at that age."
McKenna acknowledged that Delap wasn't focusing on potential England call-ups and instead enjoyed his football and the camaraderie in the team: "He's a funny guy. He's great at staying in the moment. He loves playing football, he enjoys the players he's around in the dressing room, and now he also wants to improve.", he added.
Delap's rise to prominence has naturally sparked comparisons to England's last great striker, Harry Kane, who blossomed into a world-class talent after a string of unimpressive loans in the lower leagues.
The Next Harry Kane?
BBC pundit Danny Murphy even went as far as to call him the rightful heir to Kane's mantle.
"I've seen him quite a bit this season and I would probably say he's the most promising young English striker out there. I believe he is the best choice to take Kane's spot. I know he still has a lot to learn, but he has all the skills to become a top international player," Murphy said.
"I just don't see any weaknesses in him. He's scored enough goals in a struggling side, but if he gets more chances, he'll score more. He has a great balance between physicality and skill, and it's rare to find both. He's a tremendous talent."
Given Delap's current trajectory, it's no surprise that talks of potential transfers to elite-level clubs have begun.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and City have all been linked to a move for Delap, and it's widely believed that, given his trajectory, it would be a shock if he didn't move in the future.
"He's been linked to some major clubs, hasn't he?" former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There are several major clubs that will be looking to make significant moves during the transfer window. It will be difficult for Ipswich Town to keep him if they can't stay in the Premier League."
"He dominated the line on his own against Chelsea. Sometimes, Chelsea defended resolutely, but he was always a threat. He was always lurking behind the defense, constantly causing trouble," Robinson said.
"He's a pest. He's a nuisance. He sticks to the defenders and is always available. If it appears like he won't win the ball, he still puts his body between the defender and the ball, somehow winning a free-kick or something for his team."
One thing's for certain: if he's transferred, the cost will be much higher than the $25 million Ipswich Town paid. Given his age and position, a fee over $50 million is the minimum expectation.
Delap's meteoric rise to elite-level striker status represents another mistake by Manchester City's transfer team.
Despite many doubting that Delap would be connected with a prominent team by Christmas, you'd think his former club, where he'd spent the previous five years, would have recognized his potential.
Instead of offering Delap a chance to play as the secondary striker this season, City opted to start the season without a backup striker, selling both Delap and Julian Alvarez.
If Erling Haaland gets injured or, more realistically, becomes exhausted from playing numerous games in a row, these decisions appear even more foolish.
City included a buyback clause in the agreement, at the very least, but this will no doubt result in significantly less value than it originally would have.
In his current form at Ipswich Town, Liam Delap has caught the attention of several top-tier clubs, including Manchester City, who sold him for $25 million, despite his potential being recognized earlier.
Delap's performance against Chelsea, where he both scored and assisted, has been lauded by his manager Kieran McKenna, raising questions about a potential return to Manchester City, given their current lack of backup strikers and the buyback clause in his contract.
