Town defender Axel Tuanzebe says Liam Delap has shown he is good enough to play in the Premier League and added that it is natural the striker is getting plaudits for his displays this season.

Delap has a £30 million release clause in his contract should, as is likely, the Blues are relegated to the Championship at the end of this season.

Chelsea and Manchester United are leading the chase for the striker, with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Juventus also believed to be monitoring the 22-year-old.

Tuanzebe, who himself is out of contract at the end of the season, heaped praise on the Town frontman and understands why a plethora of top clubs are showing an interest.

“Credit to Liam, he’s been great around the group for his first season,” he said. “Playing at the top level he’s been nothing but excellent for us, it’s natural that he’s going to get his praises and accolades.

“We’re there to support him and keep him on path, there’s still a job to do. Even though he’s getting the right sort of noise and exposure, he still knows his commitments to the team and he’s professional enough to execute that.

“Liam has been good, he’s improved massively in terms of game understanding for the team. He has his traits – in front of goal he’s deadly, he’s a strong lad and he’s robust.

“He’s been fantastic for us, he steps up to the challenge. I don’t think there’s been a game this season where he’s not been willing to give his best foot forward and ultimately that’s what it’s about.

“You could say we’re an inexperienced team in the Premier League, what we need is everybody being professional and wanting to execute their job to the best of their ability. Liam has shown that time and time again.”

Delap had never started in the top flight before his move to Suffolk, but Tuanzebe believes his background as a youth player at Manchester City gave him no hesitation that the Blues’ 12-goal top scorer could succeed at Premier League level.

“I’ve always said that if you give someone enough chances to play in the Premier League, eventually they’ll adapt and it’s just about how quickly they can adapt,” the defender said.

“Liam being a strong lad coming from Manchester City’s academy, there’s no doubt he’s good enough. He’s been around the best and he’s shown time and time again that he’s good enough to play in this league. He’s been a credit to himself.”

Tuanzebe has also spoken about his own role in the Blues side, where he has featured in a hybrid role that resembles a mix of a centre-back and a right-back.

Having started around half of Town’s league matches this season, the 27-year-old has been one of the first names on the team sheet when available for selection in a position that suits his game to a tee.

He said: “It requires a lot of running. If you look at Leif [Davis]’s position, he starts a lot higher up so it’s easier for him to join the play up the pitch. For me, I’m running from a much deeper position and obviously tracking back as well.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, I have my responsibilities and my importance within the team. Ultimately as a player that’s what you thrive off, the manager being able to trust you to execute the role week in week out.

“I don’t think anybody enjoys the running side but it’s necessary and it’s what the game requires now. If you want to play for a top side, you have to run and be willing to make sacrificial runs, running forward and back, whatever is needed you have to do for the team.

“That’s definitely an ethos we have here at this club, everybody is willing to work for each other and we understand each other’s role so well that I can tell you where certain individuals should be so if they're not in that position I’m straight on them.”

One of those individuals who has featured alongside Tuanzebe this season is Dara O’Shea, the Irishman being virtually an ever-present since his debut and being widely touted as a future successor to Sam Morsy as captain.

“We’ve grown a lot and got used to certain dynamics and traits that we’ve picked up from each other and that level of trust has increased massively,” Tuanzebe said on their relationship.

“Our communication is constant throughout the game, I know what to expect from Dara and Dara knows what to expect from me.

“That mutual respect is very important because Dara’s another lad where a lot of lads see him as a senior pro and someone that’s played in the Premier League. Us two being responsible and trusted within the backline just ushers the confidence throughout the team.”

When not playing for the Blues, Tuanzebe can also be seen in action internationally for DR Congo, who have high ambitions of success at the next two major tournaments.

The Bunia-born defender says he always represents Les Léopards with immense pride following his debut for the African nation last year.

Tuanzebe said: “I was born there, I speak the language, that’s my culture and mannerism. Representing the country is definitely a proud moment for me and my family.

“Unfortunately I’ve missed a few of the international games due to the hand and hamstring issues. Big games coming up leading the table for the World Cup qualifiers, we definitely want to make the World Cup in 2026.

“African Cup of Nations is another big tournament and we want to do well in it, the last one we finished fourth. We’re there, we’re climbing, the manager’s implemented a good working environment and work ethic, so all I can see is the team going up.”

Photo: TWTD

WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:32 - Apr 15 Really hoping we can hang on to Axel, Cam and O'Shea for next season. It wouldn't be ideal needing to rebuild the back line. Highly unlikely Delap will be here so that disappointing £30m will need to be well spent. The return of Burns, Smodicz and Ogbene (if all back to their best) will be massive tho.
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Leejames99 added 13:33 - Apr 15 He hit nail on head, he is back doing defending while Davis is up front thinking he is a winger, the amount of goals conceeded because of Davis being forward is shocking, but do you blame him for doing what Mckenna says or do you blame Mckenna for not recognising what has been obvious to everyone who watches. He just doesn't have pace for a wingback in Prem. Why he can't play left mid is beyond me, well its not, Mckeenna has loads wingers buy has to play league 1 lads. I agree Ogbene and Szmodicks be welcome return but Burns no way, don't need him, we want to get back to Prem, hope he gets fit so he can be sold for profit, not a Prem player so no point keeping him for promotion push. Cardiff be good for him, low level Championship

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Blue_Heath added 13:41 - Apr 15 He can't play left mid as we already have 3 players for that position in Broady, Clarke and Philogene.
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Leejames99 added 15:44 - Apr 15 @blueheath They are left wingers Why am I downmarked surely there are not fans who think Davis has been good and not cost us a bucket of goals this season, way more than Muric and Morsy but exempt from criticism along with Mckenna it seems and their can't be fans who expect Wes Burns to be part of squad next season, what for? He is okay in Championship but shouldn't be near first 11 or a sub, we know he is not Prem quality so no point. When are people going to get over promotions, they are just part of club history now

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:38 - Apr 15 I think Ogbene could be very handy in the Championship, but I'm a little worried that he's been out for so long. It may take some time to get back to his best.
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Leejames99 added 18:27 - Apr 15 Am I right in saying half the fans want this to be line up at start next season Palmer H Clarke Woolfenden Burgess Davis Morsy Taylor Chaplin Burns Broadhead Hirst Instead of Palmer Tunazabe O'Shea Greaves Townsend Cajuste or New signing Szmodicks Hutchinson Phillogene J Clarke New striker Subs Slicker Woolfenden New LB Humphries Ogbene H Clarke Johnson Broadhead Morsy New mid New forward Think league 1 lads only going to get better

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Linkboy13 added 19:58 - Apr 15 Expecting big changes next season especially in player recruitment. Players who have the potential to play in the Premier league and the physicality and athleticism to last at least 75 minutes of a game expecting we shall be looking abroad where players prices are not over inflated. We know most of our present squad are not up to Premier league quality but are good enough to probably get us promoted so im expecting a lot of comings and goings in the summer that i know is not always popular with the fans seeing their favourites go out the door.

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oldelsworthyfan added 10:22 - Apr 16 Re Delap I believe he would be even more successful with (the under rated) Hirst beside him..
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Leejames99 added 11:34 - Apr 16 I dont see the point keeping players who ate getting on, won't be in starting 11 or strong sub, and even though we know some are very good Championship players they aren't Prem players so better to sell now and keep the rebuild going, I'd defo keep Burgess, Woolfenden, H Clarke, Broadhead (I doubt he stays though) aside of that I'd let rest go as its better for their careers. Hirst for me is overated, his goal scoring tally for a striker is awful outside of league 1. Could be a big star at a Sheff Wed or somewhere, I don't think fans be very happy on first game of new season knowing George Hirst is our replacement for Liam Delap, with his sale we should be able to get a top striker in, Spurs have 2 or 3. I'd sell Hirst and get Ings on a free as impact sub, need a double figures scorer, Taj Wright might be someone,Idah from Celtic, Troy Parrot is valued at only 9 mill, Callum Robinson. Midfield Finn Azaz from Boro quality midfield who scores. If Hirst was to stay and we bought in an experienced striker like Ings or Vallum Wilson on a free along with Szmodicks and the goals J Clarke, Phillogene, Hutch get in that league, I'd keep the money at the moment to get a 40 mill striker if promoted. O another note I just read Joel Piroe will be available and Josh Brownhill. Dane Scarlett looks a beast now. It's midfield more than anywhere for Championship, couple of young Prem experienced or who could do well in Prem. Keeping Cajuste would be a priority, convince hi to stay would be huge. Enciso on loan again be great.

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PortmanTerrorist added 14:33 - Apr 16 Love Axel's openness and honesty. Get the impression he would be more than happy to re-sign and subject to his injuries not being seen as an obstacle am sure the Club will step up. But why people on here compare him and Leif, when they are ASKED to play the FB role so differently and when we would not be near to where we are at without Leif's goal contributions...beggars belief ! Both great players for us, and suspect if they stay, will both shine when (not "if") we get re-promoted !

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Leejames99 added 15:45 - Apr 16 @portmanterrace If that is the case, then the blame must fall with Mckenna, your suggesting Tunazabe is told to defend and get the ball to the right winger to carry forward but Davis is asked to get down the flank and get crosses is in as he did in the Championshio so well. The big difference is Leif isnt good enough to do that in the Prem as he isnt quick enough to get back and it leaves huge gaps that the teams have exploited all season. How many goals have been ball over top into space on left or right which as been left by Davis or because of Davis as plays shift over to cover him, the wingers just run on get to byline and cross in across goal for taps in cut in shoot and score. How anyone can say Davis has been good in Prem is beyond me, we are much better defensively when Townsend plays. Also it begs the question if Mckenna so adamant on Davis getting down the wing why he bought Clarke, Phillogene, Szmodicks, kept Broadhead they all can play left. Yes Davis made goal contributions in League 1 and Championship and been great but football clubs evolve, Shfki Kuqi was great, Counago, Bent, Dyer, Wark, Brazil players leave clubs but clubs don't leave football whether up or down the fans folliw the team and heroes come and go. If I'm honest I find it hard to understand why some fans don't want the club to evolve but to just stay static with Mckenna at helm and same League 1 lads its just weird for fans to be more concerned about players at the club rather than the club itself tegardless of who is in the shirt that particular season. Its not fair to expect players signed for peanuts in League 1 to all be considered Premier League standard of player, if we are honest the only players from that League 1 team who would get into another Prem team squad is Woolfenden, Burgess, H Clarke in time, Broadhead that's it. The rest have a ceiling, Davis maybe if they played 4-4-2 the rest of that team are not Prem quality that's why we are going down we kept too many but after to promotions deserved a go in Prem but now it's back to reality. We know those players the Burns, Taylor, Morsys etc are not the quality needed to become established in Prem and ìts unfair on those players to stay and sit on bench when they have quality to still be tip players in League 1 or lower championship. How our new signings have been treated and welcomed by some IpswichbTown fans at the ground and on here is disgusting, young lads with good pedigree and potential and sell on prospects being told they aren't good enough, not welcome, not wanted, useless, not needed. Muric, Phillogene, J Clarke, Kalvin Phillips all been subject to atrocious criticism but hardly anyone calls out Mckenna or players who served us so well in lower league's, they will stay I folklore for 2 promotions but Championship at most is their level, we need quality players that will enable us to score and defend at that level needed in the Prem. We have signed outstanding Championship talent who are young enough to grow as a team but with Premier league talent and experience.. We had 2 promotions and a relegation with those lads signed in League 1 and now it's time for the next generation of Ipswich Town to form the same commradery and success those previous lads did.

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virginblue added 13:11 - Apr 18 Comedy gold as usual. Says we need to play players who could play for us if we go straight back up, then quotes potential signings like Adam Idah and Danny Ings.
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Leejames99 added 14:54 - Apr 18 @virginboy Read it properly!
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virginblue added 18:11 - Apr 18 I have, and you said someone like Ings or Callum (or in your case Vallum) Wilson. Equally funny “Dane Scarlett looks like a beast now”.
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virginblue added 18:11 - Apr 18 Also keen to know who you think is going to buy Muric.
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