Chelsea's £30m Signing Liam Delap Appears 'Lost' in Rosenior's System
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has delivered a damning assessment of Liam Delap's Chelsea career, declaring the £30 million summer signing's move to Stamford Bridge is 'not working' and that the young forward looks 'lost' under manager Liam Rosenior's tactical approach.
Difficult Start to Chelsea Career
Delap, who rejected Manchester United to join Chelsea last summer, has endured a challenging beginning to his tenure with the Blues. The 22-year-old English striker has managed just two goals across 21 appearances in all competitions, with injuries and the impressive form of teammate Joao Pedro further restricting his opportunities this season.
The arrival of manager Liam Rosenior has yet to spark an improvement in Delap's fortunes. This was particularly evident during Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal, where Delap experienced a frustrating evening deployed in an unfamiliar right-wing role within Rosenior's three-at-the-back formation.
Agbonlahor's Critical Analysis
Analysing the performance for talkSPORT, Agbonlahor expressed particular concern about Delap's positioning and effectiveness. 'What I didn't understand was Liam Delap on the right,' Agbonlahor stated. 'I could play on the wing because I was quick but if one sort of striker couldn't play on the wing it's Liam Delap. He looked lost. He got the ball, he tried to take on Hincapie, and lost it every time.'
Agbonlahor suggested Delap's move from Ipswich Town to Chelsea after just one Premier League season might have been premature. 'I said when he joined Chelsea that I thought he should have gone to a team like Everton,' he added. 'Develop there for a couple of years and then make the big move to a top-six side. I think the jump from Ipswich to Chelsea was too much.'
Tactical Concerns and Alternative Views
While acknowledging Delap's qualities as a traditional striker, Agbonlahor questioned his readiness for elite Premier League football. 'When I look at him as a striker, I like him – he can hold up the ball well, he's a good finisher, but he just doesn't look sharp enough for the top level of the Premier League.' He further suggested Chelsea should have pursued a more established forward like Victor Osimhen instead.
Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit echoed concerns about Delap's deployment, telling Gambling Insider: 'Liam Delap was not happy with starting on the right wing against Arsenal. It's clear that Liam Rosenior played him there so they could launch long balls to him, but he looked totally out of place.'
Gullit proposed an alternative tactical approach that might have benefited both Delap and the team. 'It's a pity that Delap didn't play closer to Joao Pedro, because the Brazilian looked all on his own up front. I feel like that would have helped both players if they started in attack together.'
Systemic Issues for Chelsea's Attack
The criticism extends beyond Delap's individual performance to broader concerns about Chelsea's attacking structure under Rosenior. Gullit noted: 'I understand why Rosenior set up like that, but when it came to Chelsea going for it and trying to attack Arsenal, they couldn't create anything and they lost the tie.'
This analysis highlights a significant challenge for Rosenior: integrating his £30 million striker into a system that maximises his strengths while addressing Chelsea's need for greater attacking potency. With Delap struggling for form and confidence, and Chelsea eliminated from the Carabao Cup, questions persist about whether this high-profile signing can fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge.
