Liam Delap has been warned by Emmanuel Petit that a Chelsea transfer may be too much for him after he snubbed Manchester United and Newcastle.
Delap is edging closer to a high-profile move to Chelsea this summer, with fresh reports indicating that the 22-year-old is keen to join Enzo Fernandez and Co.
The Blues are eager to wrap up the deal before their participation in the upcoming Club World Cup, pending an agreement on personal terms.
The Ipswich Town striker, who is a former Manchester City academy product, enjoyed an impressive individual campaign in the 2024–25 season, with 12 goals and two assists, despite the team’s relegation back to the Championship.
His performances did not go unnoticed, attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Despite Delap’s growing reputation, former Chelsea, Arsenal and France midfielder Petit, has sounded a note of caution regarding a potential transfer to Chelsea.
The World Cup winner expressed concerns that such a significant jump in expectations might be overwhelming for a young player still establishing himself at the top level.
In an interview with PokerStrategy, Petit said: “Delap has quality, I think he has done a great job at Ipswich, but it’s a huge step.
“He has a really bright future, and I have respect for him, but going from Ipswich to Chelsea is huge in terms of expectation and pressure.
“That number nine position at Chelsea has been a curse for so many players.
“Chelsea need a striker who is going to score 25 goals a season. Will Delap give you that? I’m not so sure.”
Did You Know?
The concern raised by Petit isn’t without precedent. Chelsea’s long-standing issues in securing a reliable centre-forward have become something of a recurring theme.
From Fernando Torres and Radamel Falcao to Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata, a number of high-profile signings have struggled to find consistent form after making the move to West London.
So infamous is the club’s struggle with the number nine shirt that Chelsea opted to leave it unassigned for two entire seasons — in 2014–15 and again in 2016–17 — hinting at the psychological burden associated with it.
This storied past may weigh heavily on any young striker stepping into the role, no matter how promising.
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Delap was previously reported to be leaning toward a switch to United, a club that had shown long-standing interest in securing his services.
However, Chelsea’s recent qualification for the Champions League — a feat that eluded United after a disappointing loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final — may have swayed his decision.
Should he make the leap, the young striker will need to prove he can handle both the expectations of a top-six Premier League side and the emotional weight of playing in a position that has humbled many of his predecessors.
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