Tuchel: Delap on Radar But Will Need to Compete in the Premier League Saturday, 24th May 2025 10:57 England manager Thomas Tuchel says Blues striker Liam Delap is on his radar but feels the 22-year-old needs to find a new club this summer before being considered for selection for the senior squad.
Delap, who appears certain to leave Town in the weeks following the end of the season having held talks with Manchester United, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Everton, was included in the U21s squad for a pre-European Championship training camp along with Omari Hutchinson named last night.
Tuchel has kept the likes of Delap, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Jarell Quansah and Tino Livramento in the U21s with the belief that they will benefit from playing in the tournament with Lee Carsley’s side.
The former Chelsea boss says he’s well aware of Delap’s talents having had him join in with training with the senior squad in March, but says he will have to move on to a side playing in the Premier League next season before he will be considered for selection.
“[He] needs to show and prove it. It doesn’t help if we talk endlessly about him,” Tuchel said. “We know his quality, but the fact is he went down with Ipswich.
“He needs to find a chance to still compete in the Premier League and [then] he needs to fight for his place and score.
“But he’s clearly on our radar and we will never hold someone back because of age, not because he’s too old and not because he’s too young. He needs to show up now for the U21s, take it step by step.”
Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
franz_tyson added 11:01 - May 24
I think the Championship is a far more testing level than the Saudi League or the Eredivisie..... and Tuchel has picked players from there. Doesn't matter... Delap is leaving whatever Tuchel says. |  | |
Trequartista added 11:36 - May 24
Tuchel needs to keep his mouth shut. OK Delap is going to leave anyway, but he should not be talking about players having to leave a club. |  | |
runaround added 11:39 - May 24
Yet he picks Ivan Toney?! Seems like yet another England manager determined to pick players based on who they play for rather than ability |  | |
cressi added 11:40 - May 24
Another clueless buffoon who will win fa under the Saudi league is marvellous. |  | |
VanDusen added 17:03 - May 24
You'd think getting into double figures for a team 15 points off safety in the Premier League suggests he's a much better striker than some of the ones he's picked?! Especially with Andorra as opposition. Back to the dead end route of picking 'big club' players on reputation and back to England's old performances I suspect. Tuchel will be gone next summer anyway after a highly disappointing world cup and he'll fall out with the FA on the way anyway. |  | |
BeattiesBackPocket added 17:07 - May 24
Don’t get this. What he’d rather have Delap play only half the games next season at a top club who already have a number one striker than play every game in the championship? Toney has been picked and he plays in one of easiest leagues in the world my mum would top score in and she has rheumatoid arthritis! There’s plenty of international players in the championship Faes is one of the first names on Belgium’s team sheet last season with Leicester. |  | |
Dissboyitfc added 18:09 - May 24
I am losing more interest in the national team by the day, never wanted a German in charge or any foreigners in charge. Like others have said above, can’t believe he has picked Toney, priceless! |  | |
Tractorboy1985 added 18:40 - May 24
The sooner we all realise the top end of the game is corrupt the better! I will love this football club whatever division we are in and obviously every fan wants their club playing in the best league/highest standard possible! But who can argue we had players who gave more heart/determination and love for ITFC over the past few years than the current crop on massively inflated wages! How on earth can the young and up coming talent in this county be playing to the tune of a German?? I just despair at football these days! |  | |
Bluebass added 21:20 - May 24
This is the same man who wished Crystal Palace players good luck ahead of their match against Ipswich. These types of comments from an England manager are unprofessional and bring the position into disrepute. I used to like him but he has fallen way below the standards of professionalism I would expect and the quicker he goes the better. |  | |
Tractorboy1985 added 21:40 - May 24
The England football team should be managed by an Englishman… thee end!! |  | |
bringmeaKuqi added 10:48 - May 25
And yet he picked James Trafford, who got relegated from the premier league and spent last season in the championship. Hypocrisy |  | |
bringmeaKuqi added 10:49 - May 25
And yet he picked James Trafford, who got relegated from the premier league and spent last season in the championship. Hypocrisy |  | |
Barty added 14:21 - May 25
That's the sort of comment you get from having a poxy German as our National manager. Disgraceful. |  | |
You need to login in order to post your comments
|