Enzo Maresca tips Premier League star sold by Man City for 'important' England role
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Liam Delap has been backed to become an “important player” for England. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca gave the Ipswich striker a glowing reference before the clubs go head-to-head at Portman Road on Monday. The Blues were one of the clubs who tracked the 21-year-old before his £15m move from Manchester City to Ipswich last summer.
Delap’s six goals and performances for Ipswich this season has only seen interest grow in the England under-21 striker who graduated from City’s academy. But despite Delap’s step back in his career after quitting City, it would appear his gamble has paid off because he has been able to play regularly at Ipswich and now looks a big prospect again.
Delap is 6ft 1in, powerful and a classic centre forward which is exactly what England are looking for in potential long-term successors for Harry Kane. Maresca has long championed young English talent and actually worked with Delap during his time as a coach at City’s academy and so knows him well.
It would be hard to imagine Chelsea moving for a striker in January and Nicolas Jackson has really improved this season. But long term, there is certain to be a buzz around Delap and he could end up being a top flight player even if Ipswich go down. Having said that, Delap is giving them a real chance of survival. Maresca said: “Liam is a fantastic player and also for his age. I think we spent one year together and I think he scored 22, 24 goals and he is a very good striker.
“In England, they have many like him and they have many good players, good strikers and he’s working hard off the ball, on the ball he understands the game and can score goals. And also because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England.”.
