Jamie Carragher has criticised Liam Delap's decision to join Chelsea, describing the £30 million transfer as a 'bad move' for the striker. The Liverpool legend believes the 23-year-old should have chosen a club where he would be guaranteed more playing time.
Delap, who scored double figures for relegated Ipswich Town last season, has managed just one Premier League goal since his summer switch to Stamford Bridge. Carragher argued on the Stick to Football podcast that the jump from Portman Road to Chelsea was 'too big'.
'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 said. '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.'
Former Manchester City youth product Delap was close to joining Manchester United before opting for Chelsea. He currently sits behind fellow summer signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order. However, ex-England striker Emile Heskey disagrees with Carragher, insisting Delap was right to move and will 'come good' once he improves his hold-up play.
Delap made a late substitute appearance in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Leeds United on Tuesday night. The Blues sit fourth in the Premier League and face Hull City in the FA Cup on Friday.
