Ipswich Town's Liam Delap warming up prior to kick-off before the Premier League match at Portman ... More Road, Ipswich. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025. (Photo by Rhianna Chadwick/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images Liam Delap has his pick of several Premier League suitors. The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in the English top division, scoring 12 times for relegated Ipswich Town and attracting attention from a number of clubs higher up the table. According to recent reports, Delap has chosen to join Chelsea. Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Everton had also been linked with the centre forward who is available for £30m this summer due to a release clause activated following Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship. Chelsea, however, seems to have won the race. Delap will be in blue next season. WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy after ... More the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the season and won the Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday. The Blues have made progress under Enzo Maresca, but remains a work-in-progress. Chelsea is, after all, one of the youngest teams in the Premier League. The signing of Delap points to Chelsea’s strategy of targeting the best young players in the sport with the 22-year-old considered a bright centre forward prospects. However, the Stamford Bridge outfit needs a top-level centre forward to take the next step in its development. Will Delap be that figure next season? MORE FOR YOU If You Get This Message On Your Phone, It’s An Attack Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, May 29 Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Struck Down In Court—U.S. Stock Futures Surge Delap proved his worth for an Ipswich Town team that didn’t always provide him with service. The young striker was expected to hold up the ball and even create his own opportunities with runs in behind and dribbles. Delap has been likened to Harry Kane, but he is a more forceful physical threat than the Bayern Munich striker. STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 01: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea controls the ball during the UEFA Conference ... More League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Djurgarden and Chelsea FC at Stockholm Arena on May 01, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) Getty Images Nicolas Jackson was Chelsea’s most productive centre forward in the 2024/25 season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions. However, the Senegalese international missed chunks of the campaign through injury. Maresca needs a more dependable frontman to lead the line, not to mention more competition for the centre forward role in his team. It’s not clear whether Delap would start ahead of Jackson, but it could be argued that he has a higher ceiling than Chelsea’s current first-choice striker. The Blues had been linked with a summer move for Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres who might have been clearly ahead of Jackson, but Delap’s signing suggests Maresca will let them fight for the position. The 2025/25 campaign was a positive one for Chelsea. Maresca instilled a possession-orientated style of play while harnessing several young players in his team. On top of this, the Blues are back in the Champions League and won a trophy in the Conference League. Delap’s signing could push them even further forward. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions