Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on one ‘fantastic’ Premier League star who has been heavily linked with a big money transfer to Chelsea.
After losing in injury-time to Fulham on Boxing Day, Chelsea will look to bounce back on Monday when they travel to struggling Ipswich Town.
The Blues are largely expected to sweep aside the Tractor Boys who are 19th in the table and yet to win at home since returning to the top-flight.
That said, Ipswich have played far better than their results suggest and boast a number of impressive young talents who have been tipped for a bright future.
Among them is Liam Delap who moved to Portman Road from Manchester City last summer in a £20million deal, having previously impressed while on loan in the Championship.
So far, the 21-year-old forward has recorded six goals and an assist in 16 Premier League appearances, with Chelsea and Manchester United keeping tabs on his availability.
The Blues will get the chance to watch him more closely on Monday, but Maresca already knows Delap well having worked with him during his time as a coach at Man City.
Asked about the England U21 forward in his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: ‘Liam is a fantastic player. Also for his age.
‘We spent one year together. I think in that season, he scored 22 or 24 goals. This is a very good striker.
‘As I’ve said many times, England are quite lucky because they have very good players, very good strikers, and it is working hard off 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.’
Though Chelsea are overflowing with attacking options, the club want to sign a new striker, with Delap on a ‘five to 10 player shortlist’ according to The Athletic.
It is reported however that the Blues do not intend to sign anyone in January, with any potential move for the forward on hold until at least next summer.
For now, Ipswich’s gain has most certainly been Man City’s loss with Shay Given slating the out-of-form Citizens for selling off their academy graduates.
Speaking after the loss to Aston Villa, the former City keeper said: ‘We talk about the age of the squad as well and Morgan Rogers has been the star man for Villa today and he’s ex-Manchester City.
‘Cole Palmer, ex-Manchester City, Jadon Sancho, ex-Manchester City, Liam Delap, ex-Manchester City.
‘They let all these young players leave the club and now he’s in a real rut, Pep Guardiola.’
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