Enzo Maresca praises Chelsea’s ‘fantastic’ transfer target
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, calling the Blues target a “fantastic player”.
Last month it emerged that Chelsea were among suitors for the 21-year-old Delapwho has six goals in 17 games this season ahead of Monday’s meeting between the two sides.
Few managers know Delap better than Maresca, who coached the youngster to 27 goals in 22 games for Manchester City’s Under-23s in 2020/21, and the Chelsea boss did not shy away from praising the young striker.
“Liam is a fantastic player,” Maresca said. “Also because of his age, we spent a year together. I think he scored 22 or 24 goals that season.
“This is a very good striker, as I have said many times, England are very lucky because they have very good players, very good strikers, and he is working hard on 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 his interest, Chelsea He is not expected to make a move in January, when Ipswich would likely be reluctant to entertain offers anyway. Kieran McKenna’s side sit 19th in the Premier League table and will need Delap’s goals to avoid relegation to the Championship.
However, a summer move could be a possibility, especially if Ipswich fail to avoid relegation city could have the final say as they are believed to have a buy-back clause to bring Delap back to the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea are understood to want another striker to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson and are said to be tracking up to ten potential targets, with the aim of settling on one before the summer window opens .
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