The making of Liam Delap: Why he was BANNED from mimicking dad Rory's throw-ins, how gymnastics helped build a 'wrecking ball' - and club who are front-runners to sign the prankster set to be England's next No9
The making of Liam Delap: Why he was BANNED from mimicking dad Rory's throw-ins, how gymnastics helped build a 'wrecking ball' - and club who are front-runners to sign the prankster set to be England's next No9
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Avanti West Coast, Coach E. An empty table, seat on the aisle. Phone charger plugged in, cable strewn across the desk. Slouched ever so slightly. Content, a bit bored. Destination: London Euston, a Friday afternoon in late May. Before Liam Delap became this thing, this new shiny striker, this new great hulking hope.
![[The 21-year-old joined the club six years ago in a £1million deal from Derby (pictured in 2020)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/10/94204199-14295715-image-a-2_1737108678402.jpg)
The throwback from nowhere. The sort of player who once piqued your interest in the sport when it wasn’t all inverted wingers and false nines. Muscling, devil-may-care. The sort who now has observers saying the quiet bit out loud. Harry Kane 2.0? Well, maybe. Let’s see, it’ll be fun to find out.
![[Delap signed a contract extension with the talented forward in 2021 (pictured with Txiki Begiristain) and seemed in pole-position to graduate to the first team]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/10/94204213-14295715-image-a-3_1737108681506.jpg)
On that train, 24 hours before the FA Cup final, Delap is minding his own business when the carriage suddenly titters. It’s stopped at Watford Junction for some time. A Manchester City tracksuit is spotted. And then another, wheeling heavy loads behind.
![[Man City's records have Delap scoring 47 goals in 61 games but the reality is much higher]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/10/94204201-14295715-image-a-4_1737108692962.jpg)
Nathan Ake emerges, Ederson too. The champions are disembarking, Pep Guardiola striding to the exit. Kids press up against the windows, banging, cameras out. Travelling backwards, Delap turns his head to the right. Leans over to the glass. Peers out, watches his mates head off, attempting to complete another Double. Possibly trying to catch an eye or two. To throw a look, a look that conveys 'coincidence, hey? Who would have thought? Anyway, good luck tomorrow'.
![[After some concern over his height early in his youth career, the player has developed into a bullish presence on the pitch]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/10/94204205-14295715-image-a-5_1737108695100.jpg)
City’s squad keep their heads down though, out to the coach and on to their hotel. Delap returns to his phone knowing that in another life, in another age, he is on that platform with them. He is in the team when they eventually lose to Manchester United at Wembley a day later.
![[Unlike his famous father Rory, Delap has avoided making long throw-ins a feature in his game]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/10/94204197-14295715-image-a-6_1737108711385.jpg)
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