Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes Town striker Liam Delap can be an important player for England.

Maresca’s side are among those who have been linked with the 21-year-old, along with the England U21 international’s former club Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle. Italian giants Juventus are also understood to have sent scouts to watch the frontman, who is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2029.

Italian Maresca worked with Delap during his time on the City staff and, speaking in a press conference previewing Monday’s game between Town and Chelsea at Portman Road, says he thinks highly of Town’s six-goal top scorer.

“Liam is a fantastic player,” he said. “Also for his age, we spent one year together. I think in that season, he scored 22 or 24 goals.

“This is a very good striker - as I've said many times, England are quite lucky because they have very good players, very good strikers, and it is working hard off the ball, on the ball he understands the game and he can score goals. Because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England.”

Despite claims that Chelsea have opened talks with Town regarding Delap, it’s highly unlikely the Blues would looked to sell him during January.

Speaking in November, Town boss Kieran McKenna said: “I know we’ve got no interest in selling Liam and Liam’s got no interest in going anywhere else at the moment, he wants to continue to focus on his performance and his game and improving and helping the team here. That’s where everyone’s focus is.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Gforce added 21:26 - Dec 27 Oh well looks like Delap is on his way,whatever happens this season. It was good while it lasted.
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joyousblue added 22:22 - Dec 27 Clear off your not having him
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victorysquad added 23:53 - Dec 27 We should do a deal to sell at end of season and take 2 top loans from either chelsea or man city to help keep us up
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The_Prof added 08:46 - Dec 28 Personally I really rate Delap because of the thigs he did in the first few months of the season, but I'm slightly concerned that he's now concentrating more on being 'physical' rather than being a skilful player who is not going to be intimidated. It's a fine line, but I think he's spending too much time trying to rough up opponents rather than getting possession and beating people; those early-season runs were a sight to behold, and we want to see more of it.

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