Enzo Maresca ended up speaking about one of Chelsea and Man City’s transfer targets in his press conference this week, ahead of his side’s home game against Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Chelsea sit a point and two places ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League table going into the weekend’s round of fixtures, as Pep Guardiola’s side look to guarantee themselves a spot in the Champions League for next season.
And no doubt to Pep’s delight, it was confirmed this week that five Premier League teams will qualify for the Champions League next season, meaning City just need to finish in 5th in order to get themselves into the competition next season, not 4th.
That said, Man City remain in 6th ahead of their home game against an in form Crystal Palace side on Saturday afternoon, whilst Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host Ipswich Town and 5th place Newcastle United host Man United on Sunday.
Man City are set to make big changes in the summer with an overhaul needed. But one player they fancy is also liked by Chelsea: Liam Delap.
Enzo Maresca delivers verdict on Liam Delap amid Chelsea and Man City rumours
Man City have been linked with Delap throughout the season amid his impressive campaign at Ipswich Town, following on from his £20million move from the Etihad to Portman Road last summer. So much so that he’s linked with several top end Premier League clubs ahead of the summer.
On Sunday, he’ll have the chance to impress Maresca when his Ipswich side head to Stamford Bridge. And speaking to the press ahead of the game, Maresca gave a pretty clear verdict on Delap, saying: “In terms of numbers, Liam is doing fantastic. I think he’s scored 12 [Premier League] goals already. It’s not just in terms of his numbers. The way he plays and fights and is always ‘there’.
“But he’s an Ipswich player. He’s an enemy on Sunday because we need to beat them, and then after the game I wish him all the best for the future. To compare Liam with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, I think it’s a bit early. But for sure, in terms of style he’s that kind of player. They are all real nines. They are nines inside the box.”
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Liam Delap’s 24/25 stats vs Harry Kane’s 14/15 stats
Pep could trump everyone in the race to sign Delap this summer, as Man City have a buyback clause reportedly worth £30million. But right no it seems unclear whether Man City are really that interested, whilst reports state Delap would be hesitant to return to Man City anyway.
But like Maresca suggests, he’s certainly on track to become a top Premier League striker, albeit it is early to start comparing him to the likes of Haaland and Kane. But Delap’s stats this season aren’t too dissimilar to Kane’s 2014/15 season which was his breakthrough year at Spurs.
| Stat (PL) | Delap in 24/25 | Kane in 14/15 |
| Games | 30 | 34 |
| Goals | 12 | 21 |
| Assists | 2 | 3 |
Although Kane scored more goals that season, he was playing in a competitive Spurs side whereas Delap is currently playing in an overall pretty poor Ipswich Town side.
With the Tractor Boys looking set for relegation, Delap is now looking set to move on and stay in the Premier League for next season.
