Everton are considering a move for Liam Delap, but Chelsea have set a £40million price tag for the striker. However, former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given has suggested an alternative: Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott.
Delap's struggles and price tag
Delap scored just once in the Premier League in 2025/26 and twice in 41 appearances in all competitions after joining Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer. Despite this, Chelsea are demanding a profit if they let the 23-year-old go this summer. Everton are understood to be potential suitors, along with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
The £40m price tag would make Delap the most expensive striker in Everton's history. But Given believes Parrott, who scored 37 times for club and country last season, could be a better fit.
Given's praise for Parrott
Speaking courtesy of BOYLE Sports, Given said: "Troy Parrott has been brilliant for AZ Alkmaar hasn’t he? I think he is well-suited to joining a top team back in England or in Europe because as he’s said himself, he's more suited to playing in a team that’s a bit more technical.
"At Tottenham Hotspur he was loaned out to different Championship clubs and the directness of that level with the long balls and physical battles didn’t suit him. That’s why he bobbed about a bit struggling to find a home.
"He’s found that now in the Dutch league because it is very technical and he’s very good at dropping back into pockets of space, getting the ball wide and getting into the box. The way David Moyes is developing this Everton team, Everton wouldn’t be the worst shout for him, actually."
Parrott's potential return to England
Given added: "He just doesn’t suit a team that is going to play direct football, and it feels like in the Premier League there are fewer and fewer teams who aren’t moving in that direction, if I’m being honest with you.
"Troy is a player someone needs to take a punt on because he’s proved himself for club and country now with how important he has been, especially for the boys in green. He scored five goals in two games in that spree he had to get us close to the World Cup?
"It was just a phenomenal time for him and I’m sure clubs will be looking at what he can bring because he has big things ahead of him in his future.
"Some big clubs might be trying to sign him because his style of play does lend itself to playing at a higher level, but I don’t know what the fee will be. I do just hope he moves on to be honest, and hopefully there are no AZ fans reading this.
"I think he’s done his bit there, he’s played well, and now it feels like it’s time to go and take that next step again and I hope that that leads him back to the Premier League both for himself and for Irish fans as well."
