Chelsea can exploit FIFA rule change if £30m Delap transfer clause triggered

Chelsea are targeting Ipswich striker Liam Delap and Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, however, both players have been lined up to represent their countries at the U21 European Championship this summer

Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen could spark a club-versus-country row this summer - if they agree to sign for Chelsea. Both players are currently in line to feature for England and Spain at the U21 European Championships in Slovakia.

However, should Chelsea push ahead with early swoops for the duo at the start of June, both nations would prove powerless if the Blues decided to include Delap and Huijsen in their squad for the Club World Cup.

Per FIFA rules, it's not mandatory for clubs participating in the 32-team tournament in the United States to release their players for international duty.

And that would also impact Three Lions U21 boss Lee Carsley if he wanted to select Manchester City trio Rico Lewis, James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly amid his quest to defend the trophy.

FIFA are actively encouraging Club World Cup participants to name their strongest possible squad given there is a record-breaking £775million in prize money up for grabs.

And strict tournament regulations will also prevent Chelsea and City from leaving key stars at home to rest up after a long domestic season.

Additionally, FIFA have already approved an extra transfer window between June 1 and June 10 which will allow Club World Cup participants to make new signings ahead of the competition that begins on June 15.

Sources indicate Chelsea are planning to make a fast start to their summer business and Ipswich striker Delap, who has a £30million relegation clause, and Bournemouth centre-back Huijsen, who has a £50m buy-out clause, are considered two primary targets.

Delap is also wanted by Manchester United, however, and if he was to move to Old Trafford instead of Stamford Bridge, he would be free to play at the U21 Euros with England.

The Blues are facing stiff competition in the race for highly-coveted Huijsen's signature with Liverpool and Arsenal also keen but they do have other options on their shortlist, including Ajax's Jorrel Hato, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and former Cobham academy graduate Marc Guehi.

Both Chelsea and City are expected to hold talks with the FA and other respective national team federations in due course over the potential availability of their stars. Sources have indicated the availability of each player will be determined on a case-by-club basis.

If either club believes a player's development would be better served at the U21 Euros, they can still release them to feature for their countries, however, the FA are fully aware the Club World Cup takes precedence.

Another caveat is the Club World Cup is set to form a key part of Chelsea and City's pre-season schedule. Neither side has scheduled any friendlies to date.

Enzo Maresca, in particular, is expected to use the tournament to examine a vast range of players with Kendry Paez, Andrey Santos, Djordje Petrovic and Mamadou Sarr among those that could feature for the Blues.

Meanwhile, City and England U21 ace McAtee recently declared he would let Pep Guardiola decide his destiny, outlining his desire to feature at both competitions, if possible. Senior international players can still represent their countries between June 2 and June 10 before jetting off to the Club World Cup.