Former Liverpool defender and prominent football pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a blunt assessment of Liam Delap's career move, stating unequivocally that the young striker made a significant error in joining Chelsea last summer. Carragher believes Delap should have opted for a different Premier League destination to further his development.
A Costly Summer Transfer Decision
Liam Delap, aged 23, completed a high-profile £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town to Chelsea during the previous summer window. His move came after an impressive individual campaign where he scored 12 Premier League goals for the relegated Tractor Boys, attracting serious interest from football giants including both Manchester United and Manchester City.
Despite this promising pedigree, Delap's transition to life at Stamford Bridge has proven challenging and underwhelming. Across all competitions this season, the forward has managed just two goals and a single assist from twenty-three appearances, a stark contrast to his productive final year at Ipswich.
Injuries and Limited Opportunities
Delap's progress has been hampered by frustrating injury setbacks, which disrupted his initial attempts to secure a regular starting position under former manager Enzo Maresca. The situation has shown little improvement since Liam Rosenior took charge of the team.
Statistics reveal the extent of his limited involvement: from seventeen Premier League appearances this season, only nine have been as a starter. Remarkably, Delap has completed the full ninety minutes in just two matches since the beginning of 2026, highlighting his peripheral role within the squad.
Carragher's Frank Podcast Verdict
Speaking candidly on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by ARNE, Jamie Carragher did not mince words regarding the transfer. "It was a bad move. Honestly, it was a bad move going to Chelsea," Carragher stated emphatically.
He elaborated on his reasoning, suggesting the leap from a club like Ipswich to Chelsea was simply too substantial for a developing player. "I just think young players, when they're on a journey and getting better, the jump from Ipswich and Chelsea was too big, he needed somewhere in the middle," Carragher explained.
The pundit specifically pointed to a club like Everton as a more suitable destination. "Somewhere like Everton. If you play centre forward for Everton and play every game and know even if you have a few bad games you're still going to play," he argued, emphasising the value of consistent first-team football for a player at Delap's stage.
Falling Behind in the Pecking Order
Compounding Delap's difficulties is the outstanding form of fellow summer signing Joao Pedro. The 24-year-old Brazilian international has firmly established himself as a key figure under Rosenior, registering an impressive eight goal contributions—comprising four goals and four assists—in his last five Premier League outings alone.
This contrast in fortunes has pushed Delap further down the attacking hierarchy at a Chelsea side currently positioned fifth in the Premier League table. The Blues recently drew 2-2 with Leeds United after surrendering a two-goal lead, leaving them one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
Potential FA Cup Opportunity Ahead
Delap might be granted a rare chance to impress in the upcoming FA Cup fixture. Chelsea are scheduled to travel to the MKM Stadium to face in-form Championship side Hull City on Friday—a club previously managed by Liam Rosenior before his move to Strasbourg.
Looking beyond the cup, Chelsea's Premier League calendar includes a home match against Burnley on February 21st, followed by a formidable away test against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in early March. Whether Delap features prominently in these crucial encounters remains uncertain, given his current standing within the squad.
