On a glittering night in New Jersey, Liam Delap etched his name onto football’s biggest stage. Just one season ago, he was leading the line for Ipswich Town in their return to the Premier League — now, the 22-year-old is a Club World Cup winner with Chelsea. Coming off the bench to help seal a commanding 3–0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the final, Delap capped off a remarkable rise that’s turning heads across English football.
Special mention to Liam Delap, he was a handful to the PSG defence when he came on. pic.twitter.com/lfFampgxND
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) July 14, 2025
A Standout Year at Ipswich
After multiple loan spells that never quite clicked, Delap made a permanent move from Manchester City to Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024, and finally found the platform to establish himself in the Premier League.
In a challenging campaign for the newly promoted Tractor Boys, Delap led the line with maturity and consistency. He made 37 appearances in the Premier League scoring 12 goals and providing 2 assists — a strong return for a player still developing at the top level.
While Ipswich were ultimately relegated, Delap’s performances stood out — his physicality, pressing intensity, and improving movement catching the attention of clubs higher up the table.
From Portman Road to Stamford Bridge
Delap’s move to Chelsea raised eyebrows. Would he play? Was this another case of a young English striker lost in a bloated squad?
But just weeks into his Chelsea career, Delap proved why he was signed. He slotted seamlessly into Enzo Maresca’s system, offering physicality, work rate, and smart link-up play off the bench. He impressed on his debut getting an assist vs LAFC and scored on his third appearance vs ES Tunis.
World Champion at 22
In the Club World Cup final, Delap came off the bench late in the game to help see out a dominant performance from Chelsea. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he had two good chances showcasing his energy, pressing, and movement which helped pin back PSG and close out the victory in style.
At just 22 years old, he now adds Club World Cup winner to his CV — a stunning achievement for a player whose path to the top hasn’t been straightforward.
Already Ahead of Jackson?
Inside the club, there’s a growing feeling that Delap is ahead of Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order. While Jackson remains a talented option, Delap’s physical profile, hold-up play, pressing, technical ability and finishing have given him the edge in certain tactical setups.
Delap and João Pedro: Depth, Quality, and Healthy Competition
The arrival of João Pedro adds another layer of quality to Chelsea’s forward line — a versatile attacker who can operate across multiple roles. Rather than framing it as a head-to-head battle for minutes, the presence of both Delap and Pedro offers Chelsea genuine depth in a demanding season ahead.
With domestic cups, European fixtures, and a long league campaign, opportunities will come thick and fast. Delap’s more traditional No. 9 profile complements Pedro’s fluid, creative style — and having both in the squad ensures Enzo Maresca has multiple options to rotate, adapt, and compete across all fronts.
Healthy competition can only raise standards — and right now, Chelsea look well-stocked in attack.
A Career That’s Finally Taking Off
From the fringes of Manchester City’s academy to a relegation scrap with Ipswich, and now to lifting international silverware — Delap’s journey has been anything but linear.
Liam Delap, Club World Cup winner, and one to watch in blue this season.
