Emile Heskey believes that Chelsea can be smart to sell Liam Delap in the summertime, despite the striker only joining eight months ago under Enzo Maresca.
Delap turned down an approach from Manchester United to sign for Chelsea for £30million last summer, but has endured a difficult begin to life at Stamford Bridge.
The English striker has scored two goals in 21 appearances in all competitions, with injuries and the shape of Joao Pedro limiting his game time even further this season.
And while Delap previously thrived under Liam Rosenior at Hull, the brand new Chelsea boss has yet to revitalise the 23-year-old’s fortunes since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson’s impending return from an unsuccessful loan spell at Bayern Munich will provide further competition for minutes, while the Blues have also been linked with an audacious bid for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
And former Liverpool and England striker Heskey believes it will be in Dekap’s best interests to seek out a brand new home next summer to make sure he gets regular minutes to proceed his development.
‘Liam Delap continues to be a player for the longer term,’ Heskey told OLBG. ‘He has time and also you’ve got to actually assess every part that is occurring.
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‘What kind of footballer are they playing, before everything? Does it suit you and the best way you play? Are you able to challenge whoever is the essential number nine? Are you able to challenge them and cement yourself of their place?
‘You don’t wish to be a bit a part of anything, especially at that kind of age. You need to forge on together with your profession.
‘He was at Ipswich Town and he got a bit little bit of a lift from playing there, playing often, and truly doing rather well for them and securing those accolades last season.
‘Now he’s a bit-part player and that probably doesn’t suit him. I don’t think being a bit-part player suits anyone, to be honest with you.
‘You need to construct up your consistency but I believe he’s a implausible player. He probably must work on his hold-up play, being that one which nobody desires to play against, and getting a little bit of a fame for being that sort of player.’
Asked to pick the proper next destination, Heskey urged Delap to think about a return to Ipswich, but warned in regards to the potential pitfalls of a move to United, who were thinking about his services last summer.
‘I believe returning to Ipswich Town can be a very good option in the event that they come up next season since the fans know him, he knows the club, and he’ll be given time to get back to his best self,’ Heskey added.
‘Liam Delap to Manchester United? Again, you don’t wish to be a bit [part player], and that’s the tough one especially once you’re a younger one. You need to actually play after which move once you’re established.’
Rosenior, meanwhile, appears to don’t have any desire to et Delap leave the club, and backed the young striker to only recover next season.
‘In the event you take a look at most players’ careers, after they’ve joined a club, it’s the second season they really take off,’ the Chelsea head coach recently said.
‘For Liam, he’s had some really, really good performances, but in addition his rhythm has been interrupted by injury. I’m really completely happy with Joao and really completely happy with Liam.’
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