Chelsea Signs England Striker Liam Delap for £30m from Ipswich

Liam Delap has joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30 million, choosing the Blues over other interested clubs such as Manchester United, Newcastle, and Everton due to Chelsea's ambition to win trophies and the presence of head coach Enzo Maresca, with whom Delap has previously worked. Delap, who scored 12 Premier League goals last season, expressed his desire to help Chelsea return to the top of English football and praised Maresca's coaching influence on his development. Chelsea secured Delap by triggering a release clause in his contract, which Ipswich valued as a significant deal given the current market for forwards. Former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel expressed disappointment that Chelsea did not pursue Victor Osimhen, who had been linked with the club but is now considered unlikely to join due to wage demands and other factors. Mikel acknowledged the decision to sign Delap and hopes he will succeed at Chelsea, especially with upcoming competitions like the Club World Cup, while also suggesting Osimhen might join other Premier League clubs like Arsenal or Manchester United. Chelsea's signing of Delap is part of a broader effort to strengthen their attacking options under Maresca ahead of the new season.