| Liam Delap 20:43 - May 5 with 6833 views | ITFC_Essex |
I am sure this one will get done to death over the summer, but the (sad) Chelsea supporting lot at work say that he's as good as back at Ipswich and it will all come out in the wash. Apparently Delap has as good as made it clear on socials? I haven't seen that. Anyhow, they are happy to see rid of him as they think he is a donkey.
I am sure he will be linked with us, but he will go to Everton or Newcastle instead, surely? |  |
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| Liam Delap on 22:17 - May 5 with 1639 views | KBsSocks |
I'd be surprised if he did come back, but if he did there would have been a lot of research on him in his gametime since his move to Chelsea. If the real stattos of ITFC persuaded KMc he'd be good for a return, I'd back KMc's decision.
However, who would be the third number 9 ? Hirst and Azon were a complementary combo, Akpom did not fire on many cylinders; Delap and Hirst are more similar, and we have Akpom. [Post edited 5 May 22:27]
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| Liam Delap on 22:31 - May 5 with 1582 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
If the deal is doable then I see no reason why we wouldn't be interested.
Not gone his way at Chelsea but I could say that about lots of other really talented players that are there/have been there who have also struggled.
I know lots of people fixate on him being "Selfish" but he scored 12 goals in his debut premier league season and had half the Prem after him. Lots of those goals were self made as well. Im sure his link up and some other areas can be improved on over time. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 23:37 - May 5 with 1476 views | armchaircritic59 |
One decent season does not a player make. Could he repeat his form here ( if here ) from the PL last time, or better it? At best, the juries out for me. I think we can do better. However if he does appear and bangs in 20 goals, I'll be the first to hold my hands up! |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 23:39 - May 5 with 1477 views | TheMoralMajority |
If we could get him back for half of what we sold him for, it would be a no brainer and pure profit.
I honestly think it is unlikely though. [Post edited 5 May 23:39]
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| Liam Delap on 23:59 - May 5 with 1448 views | stonojnr |
I think 90% of it is his agent drumming up business, the classic thing we went through before there are hundreds of journalists paid to write stories about clubs in the Premier league, its a story, it hits their word count for the week, theyll write about us and create all kinds of crazy links, some which may be true, some may be complete nonsense
there might be a smidgen of truth in that Delap enjoyed his time here, clearly more than he has at Chelsea though I imagine the wages there helped, and no doubt Chelsea when they get around to working out what they want to do next might decide Delap is surplus to their needs.
but it helps the fee discussions if suddenly it sounds alot like there are clubs interested in a deal, pushes the price up, and everyones happy. |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 01:08 - May 6 with 1392 views | StNeotsBlue |
The amount of people on this thread who say we could do better than Delap and wouldn't be bothered if he came back is genuinely astounding.
I'm far from convinced he would come back but he would be a great signing if we did manage it. [Post edited 6 May 2:19]
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| Liam Delap on 05:51 - May 6 with 1283 views | tiptreeblue |
I'm sorry but, I really don't think that Delap is the right type of player we need, most of the time he's not a team player and charges around like a headless chicken. | | | |
| Liam Delap on 06:51 - May 6 with 1244 views | Matt_Netherlands |
Would take him on a season long loan, on the proviso we sign another striker permanently of similar quality to really push him. |  | | |
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| Liam Delap on 07:05 - May 6 with 1208 views | Wallingford_Boy |
I think there’s a very good chance we’ll ask Chelsea about him, but I just can’t see Delap wanting to come back here, it’ll seem like a failure for him.
Probably best to look elsewhere. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 07:12 - May 6 with 1197 views | RetroBlue |
| Liam Delap on 22:17 - May 5 by davblue |
Dunno. I’m not sold on it. Think there’s raw potential there but I’m not sure he will ever fulfil it, he’s just got too much rawness in his game to have it fully refined.
Felt like after Xmas he struggled, as the team did of course and didn’t do too much. I do wonder if he will be one of those players that had a good 3 months gets found out and then clubs will
Continue to buy him in the hope he can rekindle that goalscoring form he showed for us. |
Not sure id call it rawness in his game. I tnink its just his one dimensional attributes. I really do think hes vastly overrated and I believe Roy Keane made the comment that the basics just aren’t there, and at the age he is now, are unlikely to be coached into him. And to illustrate that, his time at Chelsea with some very talanted players around him, he looks absolutely out of hus depth and appears to have made little progress in a year.
I honestly feel hes a championship player at best and likely to fit into a certain physical, bullying type, team culture, because thats his game. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 07:18 - May 6 with 1183 views | allezlesbleus |
There is definitely a player in there, but, he rapidly needs to learn when (and how to a degree) to use his agression.
In his first few months with us he was such an exciting player - definite future England player - but after Christmas , that totally changed. Whether it was the transfer speculation or the team performing worse, or both, I don't know.
However, Kieran has a great record of improving young players in the 2nd season, so it could be a risk worth taking, if possible.
I do think he will end up at a Newcastle / Everton size club. |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 07:19 - May 6 with 1179 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
When he first came here, most of us thought "Who?" as he'd been a winger at Hull. But KMcK had seen something in him that he really liked, and brought him in as a CF. I think it all comes down to whether KMcK wants to play the same way second time around. There's no doubt Kieran can get the best out of him (and anyone else), and its likely that we could get the deal done on favourable terms. If we could get him for less than we sold him for , say £22-25M, and without a chunky sell-on clause, then it could be a really astute bit of business. McKenna shapes him into what he can be, a 20 goal Prem striker, and either we storm into the top half of the Prem or we sell him for £100M and keep the profit. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 07:50 - May 6 with 1121 views | SmithersJones |
| Liam Delap on 07:19 - May 6 by LegendofthePhoenix |
When he first came here, most of us thought "Who?" as he'd been a winger at Hull. But KMcK had seen something in him that he really liked, and brought him in as a CF. I think it all comes down to whether KMcK wants to play the same way second time around. There's no doubt Kieran can get the best out of him (and anyone else), and its likely that we could get the deal done on favourable terms. If we could get him for less than we sold him for , say £22-25M, and without a chunky sell-on clause, then it could be a really astute bit of business. McKenna shapes him into what he can be, a 20 goal Prem striker, and either we storm into the top half of the Prem or we sell him for £100M and keep the profit. |
I think the wages issue will make a loan more likely than a permanent move. Can’t see we’d match his Chelsea contract (term and £) when there’s, let’s be real, a good chance we’ll go back down. | | | |
| Liam Delap on 08:47 - May 6 with 1051 views | RetroBlue |
| Liam Delap on 07:19 - May 6 by LegendofthePhoenix |
When he first came here, most of us thought "Who?" as he'd been a winger at Hull. But KMcK had seen something in him that he really liked, and brought him in as a CF. I think it all comes down to whether KMcK wants to play the same way second time around. There's no doubt Kieran can get the best out of him (and anyone else), and its likely that we could get the deal done on favourable terms. If we could get him for less than we sold him for , say £22-25M, and without a chunky sell-on clause, then it could be a really astute bit of business. McKenna shapes him into what he can be, a 20 goal Prem striker, and either we storm into the top half of the Prem or we sell him for £100M and keep the profit. |
Possibly true. But Chelsea dont do financial "favours". They'll want their money bavk and will no doubt have yet more clauses inserted in the deal. Also as someone else has said hus wages will ge prohibitive I think. He's a very expensive, unproven player that may not develop much further. Town got a good deal for him first time id say it'd be folly yo enter into another more expensive deal for the player who hasn't really developed in 12 months. Just my view if course. Others will undoubtedly see it differently..
Id rather we tried for Hutchinson again...different position yes, but has shown in spades he can operate at this level. | |
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| Liam Delap on 08:56 - May 6 with 1017 views | urbanpenguin |
| Liam Delap on 08:47 - May 6 by RetroBlue |
Possibly true. But Chelsea dont do financial "favours". They'll want their money bavk and will no doubt have yet more clauses inserted in the deal. Also as someone else has said hus wages will ge prohibitive I think. He's a very expensive, unproven player that may not develop much further. Town got a good deal for him first time id say it'd be folly yo enter into another more expensive deal for the player who hasn't really developed in 12 months. Just my view if course. Others will undoubtedly see it differently..
Id rather we tried for Hutchinson again...different position yes, but has shown in spades he can operate at this level. |
Surely Hutchinson is far less likely? He's played a fair bit, the fans like him, and his value will have gone up. [Post edited 6 May 9:30]
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| Liam Delap on 09:12 - May 6 with 978 views | GavITFC |
I think we’ll definitely be in for him. Would rather buy him tbh so he’s a bit more committed to the cause this time. Feel like he was only playing for himself the final few months but would definitely take him back but he couldn’t keep us up last time so maybe best to look elsewhere? He definitely fits our system more than Chelsea’s |  |
| Old enough to have seen my team win a final at Wembley, but not lucky enough to witness the great Sir Bobby era. |
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| Liam Delap on 09:21 - May 6 with 953 views | bluejacko |
| Liam Delap on 21:28 - May 5 by ITFC_Essex |
Was that Delap or was that just the Chelsea of the past few months? I am not sure you can single out Delap for that, yes he had a bad game, but what were Chelsea doing overall? Crud. |
Some truth in that but how may times did you see team mates put the ball through in games and he has been nowhere near it and then puts his thumb up to recognise the pass?
On the Chelsea forum one fan even suggested a click and collect deal for us😀 | | | |
| Liam Delap on 09:31 - May 6 with 913 views | LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I'm pretty torn.
He's definitely an upgrade on what we've got, but we shouldn't forget that Hirst took his place by the end of the season.
I'd take him on loan as a squad player, but I'd want to see us pick up an experienced top 5 league forward to lead the line. |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 09:38 - May 6 with 877 views | Radlett_blue |
| Liam Delap on 21:37 - May 5 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
I think there is a deal to be done if Everton or Newcastle don't come in for him.
Chelsea are going to be under pressure to sell this summer, but wages could be a problem. |
Lots of uncertainty & nothing with Delap is likely to be sorted early. Chelsea don't have a manager so no big decisions will be taken until he is in place. He'll then want to asses the squad & see if he can bring in better. Then even if Delap is surplus, will Chelsea want to sell him to the highest bidder or loan him ? We probably wouldn't be top of that tree & will Delap want another relegation battle?
Has to be highly unlikely. We need 2 strikers, who are preferably better than Hirst (who is fine as 3rd option) so we need to focus on trying to get at least one decent one in before August. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 10:03 - May 6 with 823 views | baxterbasics |
| Liam Delap on 21:27 - May 5 by redrickstuhaart |
This may be sacriligous, but I am not convinced.
His main trick this season continues to be ploughing into people after the ball has gone and then doing that silly grin.
If he hasn't worked out how to play with a team yet, I am not sure we want him. |
I don't like to think it but this is probably correct.
He was brilliant in a number of games for us, but not consistently, we saw a few examples of the 'headless chicken' that now plays for Chelsea. I haven't checked the stats but does he not have more yellow cards than goals?
There's a few if's and but's:
Does McKenna think he can get the best out of him and working with the whole team setup?
Would we have other promising strikers come in so not all our hopes are pinned on Delap?
Will Chelsea be prepared to take a loss, maybe loan on the cheap, or do they expect all their money back?
Are other, more established PL teams interested? |  |
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| Liam Delap on 10:07 - May 6 with 804 views | Rimsy |
I've said before, if we'd have had Delap this season, we would have pissed the league. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Hasn't worked for him at Chelsea, so his price won't be too silly. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 10:16 - May 6 with 768 views | BiGDonnie |
Absolute no brainer. Was brilliant for us and he will definitely want out at Chelsea, we'll get him for cheaper than we sold him and he knows that club.
Expect him to be one of the first signings done. |  |
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| Liam Delap on 10:21 - May 6 with 746 views | leitrimblue |
Taking him on loan with the option to buy if he comes good next season would be best option. As well as getting in another first choice striker. |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 10:30 - May 6 with 706 views | HighgateBlue |
| Liam Delap on 21:27 - May 5 by redrickstuhaart |
This may be sacriligous, but I am not convinced.
His main trick this season continues to be ploughing into people after the ball has gone and then doing that silly grin.
If he hasn't worked out how to play with a team yet, I am not sure we want him. |
There's clearly more than a grain of truth to this.
He does run into people. He does have a bit of a silly grin. He hasn't done much else of note. He hasn't yet worked out how to be properly integrated within a team.
However, he did have great (if raw) qualities with us last time round, and he's still young enough to learn and be malleable. He could make chances for himself, and in a team that's not likely to dominate the ball or territory, that could be priceless.
When he signed for Chelsea, I did say to a Chelsea mate that he's raw and doesn't always make the right decision - sometimes he's too selfish. But he was young, and one would hope he could learn that. Chelsea is clearly a different environment with different teammates, coaches, systems and expectations. He's not been a success. But he's still being picked to play for Chelsea.
I think with McKenna's clarity of system and expectations, Delap can be coached to make better decisions and harness his undoubted quality. If he's anything like what he was for us last time round, then that's a player we should grab.
Whether the sums would add up I don't know. I would hope that McKenna would want to sign another option in that position, and at his likely cost, a still raw Delap may be a luxury we can't afford. |  | | |
| Liam Delap on 10:34 - May 6 with 686 views | urbanpenguin |
| Liam Delap on 10:30 - May 6 by HighgateBlue |
There's clearly more than a grain of truth to this.
He does run into people. He does have a bit of a silly grin. He hasn't done much else of note. He hasn't yet worked out how to be properly integrated within a team.
However, he did have great (if raw) qualities with us last time round, and he's still young enough to learn and be malleable. He could make chances for himself, and in a team that's not likely to dominate the ball or territory, that could be priceless.
When he signed for Chelsea, I did say to a Chelsea mate that he's raw and doesn't always make the right decision - sometimes he's too selfish. But he was young, and one would hope he could learn that. Chelsea is clearly a different environment with different teammates, coaches, systems and expectations. He's not been a success. But he's still being picked to play for Chelsea.
I think with McKenna's clarity of system and expectations, Delap can be coached to make better decisions and harness his undoubted quality. If he's anything like what he was for us last time round, then that's a player we should grab.
Whether the sums would add up I don't know. I would hope that McKenna would want to sign another option in that position, and at his likely cost, a still raw Delap may be a luxury we can't afford. |
I think this may speak to his mentality. As noted before, he was fatlr better in the first half of last season than the second. I wonder if this is because it looked like Ipswich were less likely to stay up and so his drive, attention and mentality dropped.
Similarly at Chelsea, as it looked more and more like he was not really wanted it used and on the outside of the core he's perhaps bothered and responded less. L
McKenna likes players who can be on the outside but still stay turned on and ready, as a squad should, so they can pick up and progress. For the reason that perhaps Delap only sings when things are going well, I suspect McK may not return to him. | | | |
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