In a recent interview with talkSPORT, former Premier League star Rory Delap opened up about his son Liam Delap’s injury and how the young footballer is coping during his recovery. Liam, a promising talent at Chelsea, has been sidelined due to an injury early in his career, but Rory emphasized his son’s resilience and focus on getting back to full fitness.
A Tough Blow for Liam
Reflecting on Liam’s injury, Rory expressed empathy for his son’s situation. “I think he’s gutted obviously with the injury, especially at the start of his career there,” Delap said. However, he was quick to highlight that setbacks are part of the sport, stating, “It’s part and parcel of the game. He’s got a strong head on him and he’s focused on the recovery now.” Liam’s mental strength is clearly a driving force as he works through his rehabilitation process.
Keeping Busy Off the Pitch
With Liam unable to train or play, keeping him engaged during recovery has been a challenge for the Delap family. Rory shared a light-hearted insight into his son’s restless nature, saying, “The toughest thing for us is trying to keep him amused because he gets bored very easily.” To fill his days post-rehab, Liam has taken up some unexpected hobbies. “He’s learning magic tricks and doing maths things I can’t get my head around,” Rory revealed. “Just trying to keep his day full once he’s not at the club and finished his rehab.”
Liam Delap is a math genius. 🌟pic.twitter.com/8BbPqT2cAX
— Viralitity (@Viralitity) August 26, 2025
A Natural with Numbers
Rory couldn’t help but joke about Liam’s knack for mathematics, playfully claiming, “Yeah, he gets that (maths skills) from me! I hope the milkman wasn’t good at it.” He went on to share a fond memory of Liam’s mental agility, recalling, “It’s weird, he’s always had it. We were on holiday once and around a table, he started doing sums and times tables. He was doing the calculations quicker than we could do it on the calculator on the phone. I have no idea where it came from. He found maths really easy at school and it's a bit of a party trick as well."
This anecdote highlights Liam’s intellectual sharpness, which is keeping him occupied while he’s off the pitch.
Looking Ahead
As Liam focuses on his recovery, Rory’s comments reflect a supportive family environment and a young athlete determined to return stronger. While the injury is a setback, Liam’s ability to stay mentally engaged—whether through magic tricks or complex math—shows his determination to make the most of his time away from the game.