| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap 21:38 - Jul 28 with 3822 views | ringwoodblue |
After our last PL campaign, it seemed like the majority on here wanted him to stay at Town but accepted that he wouldn’t after our relegation. One year on and after an unsuccessful season at Chelsea, reading the recent posts about him on here, it seems like the majority don’t want him back this season.
I have to say I don’t want him to return either. He looked like a partially sighted raging bull when I watched Chelsea last season, charging aimlessly around the pitch taking out opponents. Maybe his success with us was down to McKenna and our coaching staff but he has regressed significantly since then and we need far better this season.
‘Never go back’ is my motto as the second time is seldom as good as you remember the first time. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:44 - Jul 28 with 3104 views | urbanpenguin |
John Wark? |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:49 - Jul 28 with 3033 views | Nutkins_Return |
Good time to buy him honestly. If Chelsea are reasonable and we could get him for £25 mil ISh I'd love us to do it.
Get an arm round him and he's a big dog again. A confident and fit Delap is still a class player and he can still go on to be a £50-60 mil man. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:55 - Jul 28 with 2977 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:49 - Jul 28 by Nutkins_Return |
Good time to buy him honestly. If Chelsea are reasonable and we could get him for £25 mil ISh I'd love us to do it.
Get an arm round him and he's a big dog again. A confident and fit Delap is still a class player and he can still go on to be a £50-60 mil man. |
Make him the main striker, get a full season under his belt as the best player in the team and watch him get stuck in. He would score goals.
Why on earth would we not want him back when our #9 options stand at Hirst and Al-Hamadi.
Not going to bring Emmerson in to as we know nothing about him at this stage. |  | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:59 - Jul 28 with 2925 views | ITFC_Essex |
It's because he left us, a bit like with Downes, some can't adjust to that and almost wanted him to fail, just because he had the audacity to leave Ipswich. It is the way of the modern football fan. "his not that good neway". Had he played for Leicester or West Ham in 2024/25 and scored 12, the same fans would be screaming for him to come here this window. A lot of people had convinced themselves he was staying to "tear it up in the Championship" and nobody would want to play for anyone other than McKenna, which was also self soothing really.
The reality is, when it came to McKenna's system, and the man up top, nobody did it anywhere near as good as Delap did in 2024/25 and no amount of re-writing of history, because he left, will change that fact. In that role, he was perfect, under O'Neil, a more grinding, defensive manager, who knows. But in McKenna-ball, Delap almost had us competitive in the Premier League at times. The problem is, our midfield wasn't anywhere near good enough to really support that and Delap knew it.
It's all irrelevant anyway, as we're not paying the type of fee Chelsea want, or his huge wage either as a full transfer or loan. Delap isn't going to take a pay cut to come back here when Everton and Newcastle are likely to take a gamble. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:01 - Jul 28 with 2908 views | Libero |
Delap wouldn’t come back here, he’s far too good to be in a relegation battle - I find all the hand wringing about him having a “bad season” a bit unsightly, he’s a fabulous young player who made a move that didn’t suit him. |  | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:02 - Jul 28 with 2889 views | MVBlue |
If he went 'back' to Hull and started scoring again would we not think he could have done it with us? |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:02 - Jul 28 with 2887 views | djgooder |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:44 - Jul 28 by urbanpenguin |
John Wark? |
And Daryl Murphy. A hat trick for both wasn’t it? |  | | |
| Everton, innit. (n/t) on 22:03 - Jul 28 with 2865 views | Bloots |
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| "....a smegma of a man” - TWTD User (Apr 2026) |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:04 - Jul 28 with 2859 views | jas0999 |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:49 - Jul 28 by Nutkins_Return |
Good time to buy him honestly. If Chelsea are reasonable and we could get him for £25 mil ISh I'd love us to do it.
Get an arm round him and he's a big dog again. A confident and fit Delap is still a class player and he can still go on to be a £50-60 mil man. |
Really? £25M? We need proven PL experience. Delap has been dreadful for Chelsea. | | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:06 - Jul 28 with 2823 views | Swansea_Blue |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:49 - Jul 28 by Nutkins_Return |
Good time to buy him honestly. If Chelsea are reasonable and we could get him for £25 mil ISh I'd love us to do it.
Get an arm round him and he's a big dog again. A confident and fit Delap is still a class player and he can still go on to be a £50-60 mil man. |
Someone mentioned he’s on £150k a week. I can’t see us getting a deal done that would satisfy him/his agent. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:08 - Jul 28 with 2791 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:06 - Jul 28 by Swansea_Blue |
Someone mentioned he’s on £150k a week. I can’t see us getting a deal done that would satisfy him/his agent. |
Madness if true, 150k a week! Games gone. | | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:15 - Jul 28 with 2717 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Yep, without Delap that season would have been even more of a disaster than it was. He single-handedly won us points to stop us being doomed by about October. Lots of people perpetuate this idea that he was useless post Xmas despite the fact half his goals came after Xmas and his form dipped along with the whole team towards the end because we were just spent. Then at the end when it was clear he would be off in the summer the club went with options that would be here next season.
Btw if people dont want us to sign Delap that's absolutely fine and people are more than entitled to that opinion but definitely feel like his underwhelming season at Chelsea has made some people forget how good he was for us. I loved watching him and he gave us some great moments. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:22 - Jul 28 with 2644 views | RetroBlue |
Firstly, I tnink he chose the wrong club to go when he had virtually the whole PL to choose from.
But for all the glamour around him, ive always felt his game was ( is) actually limited. He compensates by butching it up to try and bull doze his way past, through, or over much better defenders than he is a striker, ending in far more bookings than goals.
Watching him play at Chelsea ( and i did watch him a lot last season more in hope that hed show signs of development), but this never really happened in my humble view. Watching him playing alongside and with with first class players around him you'd expect something to have rubbed off. But to me hes just looked totally " lost" in so many games last season.
I think he hit the ground running at Town and his raw pace and powerful shooting caught the eye. Hence the clamour to sign him by do many vlub . The talk was constant " Lizm Delap this , Liam Delap that by pundits. Not the lad's fault at all. He eas doing great . Talk was only about who he'd leave us to play for and that talk was in full flow long before Christmas, again not his fault. But better defebders sussed his game and his goal touch wained into the second half of the season. His game didnt seem to have another option ( and still doesn't in my view).
So no, I really wouldnt want him back here. We can do, and frankly must do much better than Liam if have any hope of staying up. But good luck Liam wherever yiu end up. Chelsea appear to have spat out yet another young player they'd hoovered up.
C
Message for any young promising player. Chelsea are a young talents pimp. Steer well clear! |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 23:24 - Jul 28 with 2346 views | Illinoisblue |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:01 - Jul 28 by Libero |
Delap wouldn’t come back here, he’s far too good to be in a relegation battle - I find all the hand wringing about him having a “bad season” a bit unsightly, he’s a fabulous young player who made a move that didn’t suit him. |
To be fair, he looked incredibly ordinary last season, albeit in a f’d up Chelsea team. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 00:24 - Jul 29 with 2174 views | eirannach_gorm |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 21:55 - Jul 28 by WolfieAtTheBack |
Make him the main striker, get a full season under his belt as the best player in the team and watch him get stuck in. He would score goals.
Why on earth would we not want him back when our #9 options stand at Hirst and Al-Hamadi.
Not going to bring Emmerson in to as we know nothing about him at this stage. |
The setup with us suited him better than with Chelsea. He was our effectively our only striking option and the team focused on him where he is one of many at Chelsea. He always had a unnecessary fouling trait but I think with his footballing demise and lack of appearances, he has focused on thd bad side of his game. He has proven quality and a bit of good management of the unpleasant side of his game would produce the goal machine we require. | | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 06:35 - Jul 29 with 1684 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 00:24 - Jul 29 by eirannach_gorm |
The setup with us suited him better than with Chelsea. He was our effectively our only striking option and the team focused on him where he is one of many at Chelsea. He always had a unnecessary fouling trait but I think with his footballing demise and lack of appearances, he has focused on thd bad side of his game. He has proven quality and a bit of good management of the unpleasant side of his game would produce the goal machine we require. |
When i saw him play in the PL 'live' so to speak he was hands down our best player and the fittest in terms of stamina.
Little cuddle, start him in games he will be right again and scoring goals. | | | |
| You could argue Delap is considerably ahead of Emersonn on 07:02 - Jul 29 with 1545 views | unstableblue |
…. In terms of readiness to score goals and threaten defenders in the Premier League.
He had a difficult season at Chelsea, he actually had a strong pre-season. But he had a player ahead of him and their system was almost geared against him.
At times he looked completely lost.
But in games where he started he tended to grow and do OK despite being isolated.
For me his technical attributes, control, passing, is way ahead from what limited footage I’ve seen of Emersonn.
Delaps coming to Town would be positive and a coup. He scored 12 goals for Town in a team that really struggled in the premier league. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:07 - Jul 29 with 1511 views | Churchman |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:22 - Jul 28 by RetroBlue |
Firstly, I tnink he chose the wrong club to go when he had virtually the whole PL to choose from.
But for all the glamour around him, ive always felt his game was ( is) actually limited. He compensates by butching it up to try and bull doze his way past, through, or over much better defenders than he is a striker, ending in far more bookings than goals.
Watching him play at Chelsea ( and i did watch him a lot last season more in hope that hed show signs of development), but this never really happened in my humble view. Watching him playing alongside and with with first class players around him you'd expect something to have rubbed off. But to me hes just looked totally " lost" in so many games last season.
I think he hit the ground running at Town and his raw pace and powerful shooting caught the eye. Hence the clamour to sign him by do many vlub . The talk was constant " Lizm Delap this , Liam Delap that by pundits. Not the lad's fault at all. He eas doing great . Talk was only about who he'd leave us to play for and that talk was in full flow long before Christmas, again not his fault. But better defebders sussed his game and his goal touch wained into the second half of the season. His game didnt seem to have another option ( and still doesn't in my view).
So no, I really wouldnt want him back here. We can do, and frankly must do much better than Liam if have any hope of staying up. But good luck Liam wherever yiu end up. Chelsea appear to have spat out yet another young player they'd hoovered up.
C
Message for any young promising player. Chelsea are a young talents pimp. Steer well clear! |
Agree with your post Retro. It’s a good summary of him. He does look lost at Chelsea. When he plays, it’s always with his back to goal whereas with us, he was on the shoulder and running at people.
I thought he’d do well at Chelsea. His weakness here was his inability to bring others into the game. It was very much him or nothing. Given he had limitations but was young at 22, I thought they’d develop his general play and even had a chance of going to the World Cup. But he’s way off that.
I can see his career improving at a club with a good manager like say Everton or Newcastle, but come what may, Chelsea is not the place for him.. |  | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:16 - Jul 29 with 1442 views | ITFC_Forever |
Suffering from the same issues as Flynn Downes.
Forgotten how to play his role and has morphed into a wannabe hard man who wants to fight everyone.
Only trouble is, everyone ignores him and he just racks up numerous cards and suspensions. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:16 - Jul 29 with 1438 views | TractorWood |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:01 - Jul 28 by Libero |
Delap wouldn’t come back here, he’s far too good to be in a relegation battle - I find all the hand wringing about him having a “bad season” a bit unsightly, he’s a fabulous young player who made a move that didn’t suit him. |
Well said.
I still 100% believe he'll have a good career. |  |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:25 - Jul 29 with 1371 views | tiptreeblue |
Why haven't anyone who wants him back so desperately asked themselves what is the reason Chelsea want rid of him so badly? Granted, it may not be all his fault but an awful lot probably is, I'm sorry but the season he was here to me he looked like he's a one trick pony, aggression aggression aggression | | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:35 - Jul 29 with 1312 views | Tractor_Boy333 |
Yea he started of the season brilliantly with is but tailed off badly the second half of the season he was pretty average.
So greedy and was only playing for himself, if he’d been prepared to pass to better placed players we might have got a few extra points. The fact he moved to Chelsea showed he was thinking more about his bank balance than his career. The two clubs he should have avoided were Man Utd and Chelsea.
Chelsea were never going to develop and improve him now he’s taken a few steps backwards.
Thing is Chelsea will still demand a big fee for him as they don’t like to sell players cheaply and his wages would surely be a stumbling block too. So we should look at other targets who offer better value. | | | |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:56 - Jul 29 with 1215 views | Nutkins_Return |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:25 - Jul 29 by tiptreeblue |
Why haven't anyone who wants him back so desperately asked themselves what is the reason Chelsea want rid of him so badly? Granted, it may not be all his fault but an awful lot probably is, I'm sorry but the season he was here to me he looked like he's a one trick pony, aggression aggression aggression |
Loads will be in for him by the end of the season. Everyone is looking to get the price down. | |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 08:02 - Jul 29 with 1164 views | RetroBlue |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 07:07 - Jul 29 by Churchman |
Agree with your post Retro. It’s a good summary of him. He does look lost at Chelsea. When he plays, it’s always with his back to goal whereas with us, he was on the shoulder and running at people.
I thought he’d do well at Chelsea. His weakness here was his inability to bring others into the game. It was very much him or nothing. Given he had limitations but was young at 22, I thought they’d develop his general play and even had a chance of going to the World Cup. But he’s way off that.
I can see his career improving at a club with a good manager like say Everton or Newcastle, but come what may, Chelsea is not the place for him.. |
They dont look to have even tried to develop hom do they. I feel sorry for him tbh. They've just stuck him up front and yiu can see they've told him " stay there" . The game just went on all around him. You're perfectly right then you say his game with us was running at defenders ,where he relied on his raw pace to get past them and get that ferocious shot off. It was exciting to watch a young player do this. He reminded me of a young Kevin Beattie in that tbh. The problem is in the PL you need much more to your game than just that, and im honestly not sure Delap has that in his locker. His next move is critical and he needs to get the club right.
Although im not in favour of his return, in many ways playing under GON and the likely style / tactic hes going to use, Delap could be ideal. But PL defenders are just as quick, if not quicker than him, so would his attacking style really work? Im.not sure. | |
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| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 08:21 - Jul 29 with 1019 views | CopfordBlue |
| It’s funny how the tide has turned on Delap on 22:22 - Jul 28 by RetroBlue |
Firstly, I tnink he chose the wrong club to go when he had virtually the whole PL to choose from.
But for all the glamour around him, ive always felt his game was ( is) actually limited. He compensates by butching it up to try and bull doze his way past, through, or over much better defenders than he is a striker, ending in far more bookings than goals.
Watching him play at Chelsea ( and i did watch him a lot last season more in hope that hed show signs of development), but this never really happened in my humble view. Watching him playing alongside and with with first class players around him you'd expect something to have rubbed off. But to me hes just looked totally " lost" in so many games last season.
I think he hit the ground running at Town and his raw pace and powerful shooting caught the eye. Hence the clamour to sign him by do many vlub . The talk was constant " Lizm Delap this , Liam Delap that by pundits. Not the lad's fault at all. He eas doing great . Talk was only about who he'd leave us to play for and that talk was in full flow long before Christmas, again not his fault. But better defebders sussed his game and his goal touch wained into the second half of the season. His game didnt seem to have another option ( and still doesn't in my view).
So no, I really wouldnt want him back here. We can do, and frankly must do much better than Liam if have any hope of staying up. But good luck Liam wherever yiu end up. Chelsea appear to have spat out yet another young player they'd hoovered up.
C
Message for any young promising player. Chelsea are a young talents pimp. Steer well clear! |
“We can do, and frankly must do much better than Liam.”
Can you give me one name, a realistic target that would give us as much up front as Delap did in 24-25? If you’re expecting as good, let alone better than what he gave, you’re going to be very disappointed. He had a poor first season at Chelsea but you don’t get pretty much every premier league club and plenty of top European clubs wanting you to sign unless you’re an elite level footballer. [Post edited 29 Jul 8:21]
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