Jamie Carragher believes Liam Delap made a significant error in judgment when he chose to join Chelsea last summer, arguing the young striker should have opted for a club where he would play regularly.
‘The Jump Was Too Big’ – Carragher Says Delap Made Wrong Choice
The 23-year-old completed a £30m move from Ipswich Town but has managed just one Premier League goal for the Blues.
Despite scoring double figures for relegated Ipswich last season, Delap now finds himself behind fellow summer signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast., the Liverpool legend did not hold back in his assessment.
“It was a bad move. Honestly, it was a bad move going to Chelsea,” Carragher said.
“I just think young players, when they’re on a journey and getting better… the jump from Ipswich to Chelsea was too big. He needed somewhere in the middle.”
Carragher pointed to Everton as a more suitable destination.
“If you play centre forward for Everton and play every game, you know even if you have a few bad games you’re still going to play.
At Chelsea he’s never sure he’s going to play, even if he starts. Sometimes the jump is too big, you need that team in the middle.”
Manchester United showed strong interest before Delap, a former Manchester City academy product, pushed for the Chelsea move.
However, ex-England striker Emile Heskey disagrees with Carragher’s verdict. Heskey insists Delap made the right call and simply needs time to adapt.
“He believes he’s good enough to play for a top club, so he was right to take the opportunity,” Heskey said.
“He understands the pressure that comes with playing for such a big club because he was in the Manchester City academy and that will help him.
He just needs to find his feet, and that may take until next season. I think he will come good.”
Heskey did acknowledge Delap must improve his hold-up play, calling it a “very important” aspect for the striker’s development.
Delap appeared as a late substitute in Chelsea’s frustrating 2-2 draw with Leeds United on Tuesday.
The fourth-placed Blues now turn their attention to Friday’s FA Cup tie against Hull City, where the forward may earn more minutes.
