Liam Delap Tipped as Chelsea’s Next Powerhouse No.9

Liam Delap wasted no time making an impression at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea activated the £30 million release clause in his Ipswich contract. The burly England U21 striker, who has already broken the No.9 “curse” with an early goal, is drawing heavyweight comparisons to Blues icons Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.

Liam Delap brings wrecking-ball edge Chelsea lacked

Former Chelsea defender Tony Dorigo believes Delap’s raw power and relentless pressing fill a gap in Mauricio Pochettino’s forward line. “In a struggling Ipswich side he was a one-man wrecking ball,” Dorigo told GOAL. “Surround him with better service and the ceiling rises fast.” With ex-Manchester City teammate Cole Palmer—dubbed a “supply line from the gods”—operating behind him, Delap should feast on chances both domestically and at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Supporting cast ready to unlock Delap’s potential

Palmer’s creativity, plus the emergence of Enzo Fernández and Noni Madueke, offers Delap the type of service that once fuelled Drogba’s and Costa’s trophy-laden runs. Dorigo argues consistency is the final hurdle: “Handle the pressure, and he can emulate those champions.”

Age on their side

At just 22, Delap joins a youthful core—Palmer, 23; Fernández, 24—that could spearhead Chelsea’s return to Champions League contention in 2025-26. Early signs in pre-season suggest a seamless fit, and club insiders are confident the forward’s aggressive style will terrorise Premier League defences.

Club World Cup next test for Delap

Chelsea face Palmeiras in Friday’s quarter-final in Philadelphia. A commanding display on the global stage would underline why the board moved quickly to secure Delap’s signature despite relegation with Ipswich.

Quick opinion

Delap won’t replicate Drogba overnight, but his blend of stature, drive and finishing is the profile Chelsea have craved since Costa’s departure. Expect growing pains, yet the upside is undeniable.