With only five Premier League matches left this season, Ipswich Town is likely heading for relegation. A loss to Newcastle on Saturday would confirm their return to the Championship.
This outcome would almost certainly mean the departure of highly-rated forward Liam Delap, who is attracting interest from several top English clubs.
Delap moved to Ipswich from Manchester City last summer for £20 million. A relegation clause means he would be available for £30 million should they be relegated.
The 22-year-old has impressed this season, contributing to 14 goals (scoring or assisting) in 32 Premier League appearances.
His strong performances have drawn attention from major clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United over the past year.
But which of these clubs would be the ideal destination for him? Let`s examine his strengths and what he could offer to each potential suitor.
Movement Off the Defensive Line
Delap`s performance and impact for Ipswich this season have surprised many. While he played well on loan at Hull City in the Championship last season, his form didn`t necessarily predict such a strong breakthrough in the Premier League.
When Ipswich attacks, Delap often faces tight marking from multiple defenders. However, he consistently makes intelligent runs that create space and gain an advantage. His movement is smart, but the timing of these runs is particularly effective in helping him find space.
Looking at examples, Delap shows intelligent movement. He can initiate an attack, then time his run perfectly to arrive in space for a finish. For instance, he might receive the ball, drive forward, lay it off wide, and then move into the box to connect with a cross first-time.
Based on this aspect of his game, Chelsea appears to be the club that could benefit most. Chelsea`s form has declined in the latter half of the season, which has also impacted Cole Palmer`s output. To maximize Palmer`s potential, Chelsea needs a striker who makes runs like Delap. The former Man City player`s clever movement could capitalize on Palmer`s excellent passing ability.
Adding a striker like Delap would provide Chelsea with a player who has the physical presence, athleticism, and intelligent movement needed to break down teams defending deep. Delap naturally pushes defenses deeper, creating space behind him that Palmer could exploit, while also offering the ability to hold the ball up and link play.
Intelligent Movement in the Penalty Area
While many modern strikers excel at attacking space behind the defense, they sometimes struggle with movement in confined areas like the penalty box. Delap is an exception.
A notable part of his development at Ipswich this season is his improved movement to create separation inside the opponent`s box. He has become an instinctive forward with superb timing for attacking crosses and passes.
Delap possesses the physique of a traditional target man, suggesting strength in aerial duels and attacking crosses. However, his effectiveness in the box stems from his movement, anticipation, and perfectly timed runs. He consistently makes sharp runs across defenders to exploit space and arrives at the opportune moment for crosses.
For example, in one instance, Delap might be isolated in the box. As the ball is played wide and a cross is prepared, Delap reads the situation early. With a quick, intelligent run across the front of the defender, he positions himself to meet the low cross and finish effectively past the keeper.
Among the top clubs linked, Arsenal could benefit most from a striker with this type of movement. The Gunners produce many crosses, but their current forward options haven`t consistently capitalized on these opportunities.
Players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (when fit) have not consistently finished these chances.
Adding a striker like Delap, known for attacking the ball and making clever runs, would allow Arsenal to convert their high volume of crosses much more effectively.
Arsenal, having reached the Champions League semi-finals, don`t necessarily need a striker focused on build-up play; they need a reliable finisher.
An example shows Arsenal in a promising attacking position. Havertz is the striker, attempting to attack the cross, but his run is timed too early, giving defenders time to react and block the shot.
Arsenal`s most obvious gap is at the center-forward position. They need to strengthen this area this summer, and a domestic option like Delap should be attractive to the club`s management.
Pace to Stretch the Defense
A key feature of Delap`s game this season is his effectiveness in attacking space behind the defensive line.
Ipswich often plays against teams who dominate possession, leading those teams to push their defensive line higher up the pitch.
This dynamic has often created space for Ipswich to counter-attack using direct passes to release Delap.
In modern football, there`s increasing demand for tall, powerful strikers with the pace to make runs in behind and force defenses to drop deeper. Delap fits this profile well. He can stretch play and become a significant threat when his team attacks quickly from deeper positions.
In certain matches, Delap has demonstrated the ability to drift away from defenders to create space before launching rapid runs to exploit that space. His teammates recognize this and can quickly play direct passes forward to release him.
Manchester United, potentially under new management like Ruben Amorim, are in clear need of a striker fitting this description.
While they may have hoped Rasmus Hojlund would fill this role, Delap has shown significant progress this season, whereas Hojlund`s development could arguably be seen as stagnant or regressing.
Watching United play, it`s evident they lack a forward who can effectively run the channels and provide a threat by attacking space behind the defense.
This deficiency allows opposing teams to condense the play and maintain a high defensive line, making it harder for United to build attacks effectively.
An example shows United attempting a direct pass into the channel for Hojlund. However, he appears to lack the necessary power or speed to fully exploit the opportunity, allowing defenders to recover.
Conclusion
There`s little doubt that Delap will move this summer. Remaining at Ipswich in the Championship wouldn`t benefit either the player or the club.
The key question is his next destination.
While he would certainly be an asset to Arsenal and United, Chelsea might stand to gain the most by securing the forward often tipped as a future England international.
