Liam Delap will become one of the best strikers in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca, these stats prove it

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Chelsea confirmed the signing of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap on Wednesday night, securing one of the most sought-after young forwards in the country.

Liam Delap snubbed Man United to join Chelsea after the Blues triggered the £30m release clause in his contract.

The move sees Rory Delap’s son reunite with Enzo Maresca, a manager he has previously thrived under during his time at Manchester City.

That’s why securing his transfer could prove to be a major coup for Chelsea, with Delap possessing the potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s top strikers under Maresca.

Liam Delap’s stats under Enzo Maresca

Delap, who has been compared with Harry Kane, spent five years at Manchester City, having joined the club in 2019 at the age of 16.

During the 2020/21 season, he worked under Maresca, who was leading City’s Elite Development Squad at the time.

Under Maresca, Delap produced a sensational campaign, racking up 27 goals and six assists in just 22 appearances across Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.

Speaking about Maresca in an interview with Chelsea’s official website, Delap said: “He is an incredible coach and helped us all develop so much. What we did that season was record-breaking, and what he’s gone on to achieve – and what the players in that age group have achieved – is incredible.

“He has a great understanding of the game. He was very detailed in how he approached things with us and while it can be hard at that age to take on so much information, he brought it across in a way we understood and could put into our games.

“I think it’s proved in the years since how much it has helped.”

Delap’s overall record for Manchester City’s U21s stands at an outstanding 35 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. He also registered 11 goals and seven assists in 17 outings for the U18s.

Given his incredible numbers in front of goal, there’s every reason to believe Delap can blossom into one of the Premier League’s top strikers under the Chelsea head coach.

Liam Delap already has a partnership with Cole Palmer thanks to Man City

Not only will Delap be reunited with Maresca at Chelsea, but he’ll also be linking up with some familiar faces, most notably, his former Manchester City academy teammate, Cole Palmer.

Palmer has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers following his move to Chelsea.

His connection with Delap dates back to their youth days at City. The pair enjoyed good chemistry on the pitch during their limited time together at City. They played 33 games together between 2019-20 to 2021-22, winning 28 of those games, losing only two.

Palmer provided four assists for Delap, while Delap returned the favour with four assists for Palmer during that period.

The English midfielder is at his best when he has aggressive runners in front of him and that is exactly what he will get in Delap.

Delap recently admitted that Palmer helped his game. He is now relishing the chance to play alongside him once again.

Speaking to the club website, he said: “Cole is incredible in everything he does. I can’t wait to be in front of him again and receive his passes!”