Chelsea are prepared to cut their losses on forward Liam Delap after a disastrous first season at Stamford Bridge, according to multiple reports.
Chelsea Prepare to Sell Liam Delap After One Disastrous Season
The Blues beat Manchester United and other rivals to sign the England Under-21 international from Ipswich Town last summer for £30 million.
Many viewed the deal as a coup after Delap scored double figures in a struggling Ipswich side that won only four Premier League games.
But the 23-year-old has failed to deliver. Delap has managed just two goals in 38 appearances this season, with most of those coming from the bench.
He arrived expected to compete with Joao Pedro for a starting role but quickly fell behind the Brazilian in the pecking order.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Delap does not suit Chelsea’s system and predicts the club will move him on.
“It’s certainly not worked for him at Chelsea,” Smith told Best Betting Sites.
“He doesn’t look like a Chelsea player. He has some rough edges. I think Chelsea might think they can get him out and bring somebody else in.”
Smith added that Delap’s frustration shows on the pitch. “He gets too involved in the physical side, and he’s a bit mouthy. He got booked the other day for dissent.”
Ex-Chelsea defender Glen Johnson also expects a summer exit.
“Anyone not getting in the team is up for sale,” Johnson told Metro via BetMGM.
“If you are the person who can’t get into a struggling team, where do you go from there? If they’re not good enough for this team, they’re not good enough ever to get in.”
Chelsea’s miserable form continued Monday with a sixth straight Premier League defeat, 3-1 to Nottingham Forest.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane now takes his side to Anfield on Saturday to face Liverpool.
Delap still has board backing according to recent reports, but Chelsea appear ready to sell and reinvest in a new forward this summer.
