Liam Delap will become “an important player for England”, says Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who coached the striker at Manchester City’s academy.
Maresca and Delap meet again at Portman Road on Monday as Chelsea face struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old, son of former Stoke City man Rory Delap, has scored six times in 17 top-flight appearances since leaving City from Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20million.
Chelsea will have to contend with Delap’s hectic pace and physicality when they face Kieran McKenna’s side, and Maresca hopes his former forward can shine for the national team in the future.
Speed, power, skill, finishing.
Liam Delap’s second of the afternoon. #IPSAVL pic.twitter.com/HFT3jWSBmO
— IPSwich Town (@IpswichTown) September 29, 2024
“Liam is a great player and also for his age,” Maresca said. “I think we spent a year together and he scored goals [about] 22 to 24 goals. He is a very good striker.
“England have a lot of good players, a lot of good strikers [but] He is working hard on and off the ball, understands the game and can score goals. I think he can be an important player for England.
Delap scored 35 goals in 36 appearances for City’s Under-21 side before spending time on loan at Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City, where he impressed last season.
The former Man City striker has appeared at every age grade for England, scoring twice in 10 appearances for the Under-21s, but is yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions.
