Troy Deeney says Liam Delap is ‘missing a step in his development’ by opting to join Chelsea over Manchester United.
Chelsea have reportedly won the race to make Delap their first piece of business of the summer transfer window, with the 22-year-old Ipswich striker on the cusp a move to Stamford Bridge.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Delap has now completed the first part of his medical with the Europa Conference League winners – and the deal is expected to be finalised over the coming days.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton had all been credited with an interest in Delap after the forward’s eye-catching season in the Premier League, in which he racked up 12 goals and two assists in a struggling Ipswich side.
The Red Devils were even favourites to capture Delap at one stage, only to fall behind Chelsea in the running, with the Blues able to offer the young attacker Champions League football next season.
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A relegation release clause in Delap’s contract at Portman Road means the England Under-21 international is set to join Chelsea for a fee of just £30million this summer.
Reacting to the latest rumours on talkSPORT, ex-Watford striker Deeney argued that a switch to Old Trafford may have made more sense for Delap’s development.
‘I think, personally, when I just look at his development, I thought Manchester United was a perfect fit,’ Deeney said.
‘The jump from Under-23s football, he’s had a couple of loans and some were okay, some weren’t okay.
‘But then he goes to Ipswich and has a solid season, I wouldn’t say it was exceptional. In the second half of the season he wasn’t great.
‘The second they got relegated, he didn’t play. Whether that’s a manager’s decision looking forward or whatever… but I think he’s got so much more of his game that he still needs to develop.
‘Going to Manchester United at this stage of his career, where they are, he would have had to deal with the big experience, being the man to take them to the next level, then he would be ready for Europe.
‘I think he’s missing a step in his development [by joining Chelsea].’
Asked if Chelsea are a level above United, Deeney replied: ‘Of course they are.
‘Purely from a football point of view, he’s going from being in a relegation scrap to now fighting in the Champions League, expecting to win more cups and trying to go and kick on.’
Deeney warned Delap over the level of expectation he is likely to face at Chelsea, pointing to the struggles Gonzalo Higuain experienced when taking over the ‘heavy’ No.9 shirt in west London.
Quizzed on whether Delap could be the man to finish Chelsea’s chances and take the club forward, Deeney responded: ‘I don’t know, yet to be seen.
‘I think he’s a good finisher, I don’t know if he’s a great finisher.
‘You’ve had the likes of Higuain come in at Chelsea and it’s a different, heavy shirt to wear than doing it at Ipswich.
‘I think he can do it. I just think in an ideal world he would have one more step and then he would have gone into the Champions League.’
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