Former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend has delivered a damning verdict on Liam Delap, stating the £30m striker is 'not anywhere near the level required' at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to talkSPORT, Townsend also endorsed the club's pursuit of Brighton forward Danny Welbeck and veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea's summer transfer activity
Chelsea have already made significant moves this summer, signing Marco Palestra from Atalanta before completing a British-record £117m deal for Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers. However, club bosses are not satisfied and have identified two of the Premier League's most experienced players to strengthen Xabi Alonso's squad. The Blues have shifted away from their youth-led transfer policy and are targeting Brighton's Welbeck and Brentford's Henderson.
Welbeck deal at advanced stage
Transfer negotiations for Welbeck are believed to be at an 'advanced' stage, with the 35-year-old reportedly 'keen' on a move to west London. Chelsea are also considered 'leading contenders' for former Liverpool captain Henderson, despite the 36-year-old currently sidelined with a broken arm.
Townsend's verdict on Welbeck and Delap
Townsend praised Welbeck's development at Brighton, saying: 'Danny is just one of those players who has got better and better the older he's got. Brighton have managed him, which was always the issues he had at his previous clubs, getting injured, missing matches and not playing enough.' He added that Welbeck 'has shown he can score important goals for his team and can lead the line.'
In contrast, Townsend was critical of Chelsea's current forwards: 'The Nicolas Jacksons of this world I never thought was good enough. Liam Delap is clearly not anywhere near the level required at Chelsea.' He believes Welbeck would be a major upgrade, saying: 'I think to get somebody like Danny to come in, knows what it's all about, they don't have to worry about him settling in or bedding him in… just let him get on with it.'
Henderson link and midfield concerns
Townsend admitted surprise at Chelsea's interest in Henderson but saw logic if Enzo Fernandez departs. 'The Jordan Henderson one I'm not quite so up with. But is that because they're guarding about Enzo Fernandez possibly going?' He noted that both Welbeck and Henderson are 'good pros' and 'generally regarded as good people, good guys in the dressing room, experienced boys.'
Support for older signings
Townsend urged Chelsea fans to back the potential arrivals, claiming the duo could be what the club have been 'crying out for.' He said: 'They've done the Morgan Rogers deal so they've spent their big dough on a proper player. But these ones, I don't think anyone should turn their nose up at a couple of older players, but the right type of older player. Maybe it's something that Chelsea have been crying out for for a while.'
