Joao Pedro was signed during the same window, and during the 2025–2026 season, there has been little difference between the two strikers at Stamford Bridge.
With just one Premier League goal this season, many people think Delap has advanced too far in his career since leaving Ipswich Town.
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Liam Delap wants to stay at Chelsea
Delap has already declined a transfer to Strasbourg, where he would have taken Emanuel Emegha’s spot before he leaves for Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
Delap is interested in more than simply a Ligue 1 move. Delap is reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to the Mail Online.
Newcastle United was among the teams interested in signing the Englishman, but Chelsea beat them to a deal, so it appears that this ends their interest in him.
Another striker who will be at Stamford Bridge, Nicolas Jackson, has also been linked to Newcastle, and the team is willing to let him go.
A number of other clubs have been keen on the striker, including former club Ipswich as they return to the Premier League for next season.
Why Liam Delap has struggled at Chelsea
The majority of the striker’s starts for the Blues have come in cup competitions; however, he failed to score throughout the team’s journey to the FA Cup final.
Delap has struggled as a result of Chelsea’s inconsistent starting lineup. This season, he hasn’t been able to get Pedro off the team.
He was supposed to excel in holding up the ball, but he has been accused of being too weak in possession.
Chelsea is not known for allowing new players enough time to settle in, so if Delap is to escape being fired by the team, Chelsea supporters need to see more from him next season.
Wayne Rooney completely agrees with what Roy Keane has had to say about Reece. James recently
Since Thomas Tuchel took over as manager, James has been a mainstay for the Three Lions, being chosen over several other elite right-backs.
The Chelsea captain has the benefit of working with the German for several years at Stamford Bridge, where they won the Champions League in 2021.
Wayne Rooney questions Reece James’ defensive abilities
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid has frequently lost out to James for a spot on the team. He was not included at all in the most recent England team.
Following Roy Keane’s admission that he had concerns about James’ defensive skills, Wayne Rooney was asked if he thought James was the ideal choice for England to play that position.
The former striker admitted to The Wayne Rooney Show that he didn’t fully trust the Blues captain on defense.
He said, “Maybe, but Reece James isn’t the most defensive anyway, and I heard Roy Keane talk about this, and he’s right in terms of the lads who are in there.” You wouldn’t say they’re the best defensively anyway, all of them. And I listened to him; he’s actually got a really good point.”
As well as Alexander-Arnold, England have former Chelsea academy star Tino Livramento as an option, as well as Arsenal’s Ben White.
Reece James fitness update
Throughout Chelsea’s nightmare run of form in the Premier League, they have mostly been without James available due to injury.
The 26-year-old was back on the bench for the defeat to Nottingham Forest, although he was an unused substitute as Levi Colwill made his own return from injury.
The Blues are likely prioritizing the FA Cup final next weekend as the opportunity to start him for the first time as they manage his recovery.
This could see him remain on the bench again for Saturday’s trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool, opening up another opportunity for Malo Gusto to start.
