Liam Delap, a product of Manchester City’s youth academy, is currently playing for Ipswich Town. He is gaining attention from top clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea as an emerging striker. (As a side note, his father is Rory Delap, famously known as the “human catapult” during his time at Stoke City.)
Liam Delap’s market value is estimated at €25 million according to Transfermarkt(as of February 2025)
Liam Delap Scouting Report | Liam Delap: Ipswich Town’s Key Player
♦ Player Profile
Nationality : England
Date of Birth : 8 February 2003
Height : 186cm
Weight : 77kg
Possible Positions : Striker
Preferred Foot : Right
Youth Clubs :
Derby County (2009-2019)
Manchester City (2019-2020)
Senior Career :
Manchester City (2020-2024)
Ipswich Town(2024~Present)
Liam Delap – Premier League Stats (As of February 2025)
| Season(League) | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
| 2024-25(As of February 2025) | 25 | 10 | 2 | 1,942 |
Liam Delap : Strengths, Weaknesses & Playing Style Analysis
♦ Key Strengths :
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Aggressive dribbling ability
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ball-carrying skills
♣ Weakness :
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Prefers finishing on his own rather than linking up with teammates
♠ Playstyle :
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A classic number 9 striker
90-Minute stats comparison of five players in the same position from the same league in the 24/25 season
According to statistical data, Liam Delap covers more distance per game while carrying the ball compared to other strikers, similar to Alexander Isak and Nicolas Jackson.
Unlike a traditional striker who stays in the penalty area, Delap often drops deeper to receive the ball and carries it forward himself, which makes him comparable to Isak and Jackson. However, the key difference is his number of touches inside the penalty box. Delap has significantly fewer touches in the final third, indicating that instead of linking up with teammates after carrying the ball, he prefers to drive forward and finish the play himself.
This playing style is particularly effective in teams that sit deep and lack strong ball carriers. In counter-attacking situations, he can retrieve the ball and single-handedly drive forward to score, making him a valuable asset.
♦ conclusion
Can Liam Delap Become a Top Striker at a Big Club Like Arsenal or Chelsea?
Although Delap is a highly sought-after striker, it remains uncertain whether he can thrive at a top club. This is because modern big-club strikers are expected to contribute beyond just scoring goals—they must be involved in link-up play, build-up play, ball retention, and high pressing.
While Delap possesses solid fundamentals and good physical attributes as a Manchester City academy graduate, he has yet to showcase a well-rounded skill set. Additionally, if he joins a big club, he will likely face teams that defend deep, limiting the space he currently exploits at Ipswich Town to carry the ball forward and finish counterattacks.
That said, strikers at big clubs tend to receive more passes from teammates, though they also face higher tactical expectations. Despite his low number of touches and shots per game, Delap has demonstrated an ability to score efficiently.
At a young age, he has immense potential, as evidenced by the interest from major clubs. However, he still needs to develop a broader skill set to succeed at the highest level.
Key Storyline: Ipswich Town’s Survival Battle
A crucial aspect to watch this season is whether Ipswich Town can avoid relegation. Delap has scored 10 of Ipswich’s 24 goals, contributing 41% of the team’s total goals. If he gets injured, the team could face serious struggles. On the other hand, if Ipswich manages to stay up, Delap’s contributions will have been a major factor.
♦ Summary
In summary,Liam Delap is a Manchester City academy graduate and Ipswich Town’s main striker. With his exceptional talent, he has drawn interest from several big clubs. However, to succeed at the highest level, he must further refine his game to meet the demands of modern football.
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