Liam Delap’s terrific form at Ipswich Town was already predicted by Pep Guardiola who dubbed the striker “special” during his time at Manchester City.
The 21-year-old moved to the newly-promoted Premier League side last summer in a reported £20million move plus add-ons and has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Portman Road.
The striker has scored eight goals this season for the relegation-threatened club, including two in his last two games against Chelsea and Fulham, where he helped the side defeat the former and earn a point against the latter.
The England U21 star began his career with the reigning league champions, but a lack of game-time, due to the presence of Erling Haaland, saw Delap seek new pastures.
Despite Guardiola green-lighting his exit, the City boss has only spoken positively of his former player, whom he once called a “killer” in front of goal.
Discussing the striker’s cameo in an FA Cup win over Fulham back in 2022, the Spaniard told Man City.com: “He is the type of striker we don’t have. He is a killer, a typical British striker, an incredible finisher. He has to improve when he drops, his first touch.”
It was almost a dream return to fitness for Delap, who’d missed five months of action due to an ankle injury when VAR ruled out his headed goal. “The only problem we had this season from the beginning is he has been injured,” Guardiola said.
“He struggled a lot with his ankles and was not fit. He has a special quality. He is a different type of striker. The goal is offside, but he is there. I am happy for him.”
In his first full season in the English top-flight, Delap has impressed despite Ipswich sitting 18th in the table, so much so that he’s been linked with big-money moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Amid the links, Gary Lineker tipped Delap for a transfer to one of the league’s premier sides on The Rest is Football podcast.
“He’s really has got something. I think they’ll be [clubs interested in signing him],” the England legend said. “With all due respect to Ipswich. I have the same thing with Leicester, every time they get a really good player they get poached by somebody.
“It wouldn’t surprise me because they [strikers] are worth their weight in gold now.” While both London clubs have spent heavily on attacking players in recent transfer windows, the possibility of acquiring a striker of Delap’s quality and youth could prove too hard to resist.
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