Blues boss Kieran McKenna has reiterated that it’s not a fait accompli that Liam Delap will leave Town this summer but believes the striker is capable of going on to play for the biggest clubs in the world.

The 22-year-old, who has scored 12 times in his first Premier League season having joined the club on a five-year deal from Manchester City for an initial £15 million in the summer, is expected to leave Portman Road following Town’s demotion to the Championship, which looks set to be confirmed this weekend, with his contract including a £30 million relegation release clause.

Asked whether the England U21 international’s future lies away from the Blues, McKenna said: “That's not where certainly our focus is. I don't think it's where Liam's focus is. His focus is on trying to get back to full health and get ready for Newcastle. 

“It's a great game for him as it is for the rest of the boys never having played at that stadium before. I know he's really looking forward to it.

“Liam's in the same boat as everyone else. He's focused on the here and now, on the big games that we have and not too far in the future.

“If we put mental energy into that, if any player put mental energy into that, then it would be impossible to provide what we're going to need on Saturday.”

Chelsea and Manchester United are the leading contenders for Delap’s signature, while Saturday’s opponents Newcastle are also now being linked, and it seems accepted that the Winchester-born frontman will be joining one of the Premier League’s bigger clubs in the close season.

“I don't know who it would be accepted by because it's not by myself or Ipswich,” McKenna added. “His mindset isn't there. Liam's focus is still here and finishing the season as strong.

“And, as I've said before, I think there's certainly a possibility that he's an Ipswich player next year. So, I don't think anyone's decided on anything in anyone's mind. 

“Can Liam play for the biggest clubs in the country, the biggest clubs in the world? He certainly can, I fully believe that. 

“He's already shown the impact he can have at Premier League level in a team that has been fighting for everything. And I think he can have an outstanding impact at this level.

“But he's also very young and he's playing his first season of Premier League football. He's not played a huge amount of minutes as a leading striker in a team before. And he's still learning and getting better all the time.

“So, what's right for Liam, what's right for Ipswich, all those factors will come into play in the summer and the right decision will be made. 

“But he's happy and he's developing really well here. And he has the potential and I think he will in his career go on to do some really, really good things.”

Pressed on how strong the chances are Delap will remain at Town, McKenna added: “That's for conversations with the club, myself, Liam, his people and his family. So, I think that's private.”

Photo: Matchday Images

cooper4england added 16:37 - Apr 24 Certainly a possiblilty that Michelle Pfiffer wants to be my girlfriend
3

Gforce added 16:45 - Apr 24 Would be unbelievable if we can somehow keep hold of him.He would score around 25 goals in the championship and at the same time increase our chances of promotion by a considerable amount.
3

Denny32 added 16:52 - Apr 24 Well the way I see it ,money talks .and if delap wants to stay and become a better player and gets a nicer weekly wage ..we could have him nxt season..cos if he feels with him in the club for nxt season others may want to stay as they feel ipswich have a better chance of going back up again..unless we have to sell him for financial reasons plus to balance the books ..I do feel If bigger clubs go in for him..he may only get certain game time,plus if promoted sides go for him..he probably says to himself, I may end up going down anyway.!! The only clubs in a far better position to nearly make him start in games are forest Brighton. Spurs maybe...it will be intriguing..nxt few months.

1

victorysquad added 16:56 - Apr 24 If we do not need to sell him contractually then we should keep him and let him help us get promoted again. Sounds like the release clause will prevent that though. Shame as this is the first place he has really hit the ground running and a season in the championship where it is perhaps easier for him to develop his game might be beneficial to him in the long run.

0

Uhlenbeek added 16:58 - Apr 24 Mckenna is being diplomatic, im sure him and us all know Delap is playing top division football next season. Good luck to him, its been great watching him bash his way through the prem defences this season. Im pleased that Hirst has been given a run out recently, it'll stand him in good stead for next season when i think he'll lead our team well, with the support of another experience champ striker

2

Gforce added 17:05 - Apr 24 I just hope a decision is made,one way or the other ,as soon as possible,after the West Ham game.We really don't want it dragging on for too long.
1

ITFC_Singapore added 18:20 - Apr 24 Let's be honest with ourselves, he's not going to be with us next season. He / his agent made sure there was a relegation clause in his contract, that wasn't by accident. Of course there is a 'chance'....0.01% is a chance, but it's not going to happen. He deserves his chance to move to top team and i'm sure he goes with all our best wishes. It was great watching him in a Town shirt....just a shame it was only one season. And whilst the release fee seems a little on the low side, a 15M profit (Less Man City's cut) is pretty decent in one year. In Ashton i trust.

0

Leejames99 added 18:58 - Apr 24 Nobody knows what is in Delaps contract, all speculation. It would be the worst business in football by Man City and Town if Delap has a relegation clause from a team nailed on for relegation and then set at only 30 million, we would of just loaned him. I dont think Ashton is going to do a contract like that, tome will tell but i think its all speculation and he isnt good enough yet for a top club and wouldn't start, much better off here, we are trying to build a team not keep selling, and even if he does have a release clause he still doesn't have to go, we can still offer better terms. He is worth more to Ipswich and Man City by staying, 1 season in Championship is hardly going to destroy his career.

1

armchaircritic59 added 19:03 - Apr 24 I think the biggest problem in keeping LD, might be his international ambitions. Is Tuchel going to be looking outside the top leagues for players, no matter how well they've done before? He's pretty close now, he might be thinking that's the clincher.
1

Len_Brennan added 19:22 - Apr 24 As ITFC Singapore says, Delap & his representatives negotiated a release clause, in the event of relegation, into his contract with us. They did that to protect him, and that was before he proved himself as a quality Premier League centre forward, coveted by most of the top sides in that league.
0

ArnieM added 19:39 - Apr 24 Not a hope in hell. Money talks, always has fibe, always will. I'm bored of it already....
-1

Denny32 added 20:30 - Apr 24 International ambitions have nothing got to do with it...if anything, players prefer not to get called up ,as means more games and more chances of injury..they just make themselves available and if good, naturally will get the call
1

armchaircritic59 added 00:35 - Apr 25 Well Denny32, all I can say is, if i was a player with international ambitions, I'd consider it the greatest honour in football to get the call, whether it was Spain or San Marino. You of course may have another opinion. Opinions are the lifeblood of this website!
2

blues1 added 11:42 - Apr 25 ITFCSingapore. He doesn't have a relegation clause. It's a release clause, which relegation, has no relevance on. And end of the day, whether he goes or stays, will depend on what he wants to do. If money is his driving force he'll almost certainly leave. If playing regularly and improving himself is what he and his team, feel is best for him, he may stay. While probably more likely he'll go, it's not inevitable.

1

ArnieM added 18:59 - Apr 29 Double edged sword as far as km concerned. If Delap stays, Hirst will depart, and Hirst is thr better all round striker and more of a team player. Delap is " potential" but is less cohesive with other forwards around him.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls