Liam Delap has completed his £30m switch to Chelsea from Ipswich after their Premier League relegation - choosing to snub Manchester United's interest in the process
Liam Delap claimed Chelsea are on an upward trajectory after completing his £30million switch to the Blues - snubbing Manchester United's interest in the process. The Ipswich frontman was always expected to move this summer and had several options.
Chelsea and the Red Devils emerged as the two leading candidates but the Englishman has decided to head to Stamford Bridge. It is understood that playing in the Champions League was a big pull for the former Manchester City youngster.
The west Londoners won the Europa Conference League and got into the top five with a win on the final day. United meanwhile failed to qualify for any European tournament, which may have proved defining when Delap decided on his next move.
The 22-year-old scored 12 times in the Premier League - including one in the shock win over Chelsea midway through the season - and was shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award. Delap made it clear that he felt that Chelsea were firmly a side on the up as they continue to invest in new talent and believes Stamford Bridge is the best place for him to his own personal development.
He said: "I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach. It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies."
Delap added: "I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that. The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective."
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had made it clear that he wanted to add more firepower to his frontline. Nicolas Jackson has been relied upon to lead their attack but beyond him there isn't the quality and the manager doesn't seem to trust the likes of Christopher Nkunku.
Maresca has said he was determined to bring someone in who could provide competition for Jackson and Delap is poised to do exactly that. The new signing's efforts despite Ipswich's relegation is what marked him out as a quality operator and his release clause became live when the Tractor Boys dropped into the Championship, making him particularly attainable.
Those in Manchester will have to turn their attention elsewhere. Already they have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves for just over £60m and Ruben Amorim will have to consider other options on his shortlist as he looks to bolster the United forward line.