Does Liam Delap Have What It Takes to Become England’s Next Top Striker?
At just 22 years old, Liam Delap has burst onto the Premier League scene with 12 goals and 2 assists in his debut top-flight season and all while playing for an Ipswich Town side that ended up relegated. So how did this happen? How did a striker who managed only 4 goals in his first Championship season suddenly thrive in the Premier League? Let’s take a closer look.
From City Academy to Championship Grit
Delap is a product of the Manchester City academy, which has produced elite talents like Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden. Like Sancho and Palmer, Delap also moved away from the Etihad in search of game time. But unlike their high-profile moves to Dortmund and Chelsea, Delap took a more modest route.
He dropped into the Championship on loan with Stoke City, scoring 3 goals in 22 appearances. Mid-season, he was recalled and sent to Preston North End, where his minutes dropped dramatically to just under 700 compared to over 1,200 at Stoke. He only added one more goal, ending his first senior season with a modest 4-goal tally.
Rise at Hull and the Ipswich Move
With no realistic shot at minutes behind Erling Haaland and Julián Álvarez, Delap went out on loan again but this time to Hull City, under rising coaching talent Liam Rosenior. Surrounded by players like Fábio Carvalho and Jaden Philogene, Delap finally found his rhythm: 8 goals and 2 assists, hitting double digits in goal contributions for the first time in senior football.
That form earned him a move to Ipswich Town, the Championship surprise package that finished second and secured automatic promotion.
The Unexpected Premier League Explosion
Coming into the Premier League with just 12 goals in two Championship seasons, expectations were understandably low. But Delap flipped the script. He’s already matched that 12-goal tally in the Premier League this season all while playing for a relegated Ipswich team and scoring against the likes of Spurs and Chelsea. His rise has been sharp, sudden, and hard to ignore.
Why It’s Working: Power, Technique, and Stats
At 6’1”, Delap brings physical presence, but his Manchester City education also made him technically sharp. He’s effective in transition so whether holding up the ball, taking on defenders, or progressing play Delap is very impressive.
According to FBRef, he ranks in the:
- 85th percentile for progressive carries
- 91st percentile for successful take-ons
Another key stat: his non-penalty xG sits at 0.28 and he’s overperforming these numbers. Just 2 of his 12 goals have come from the spot. The rest are from open play, suggesting a natural finishing ability.
What’s Next?
It has been a marvelous breakout campaign at Portman Road for Delap. He’s already been directly involved in over 40% of Ipswich’s goals this season. And with strong links to Manchester United, the spotlight on him is only getting brighter. In a forgettable season for Ipswich, Delap has been a rare spark and if he keeps rising at this rate, we could be looking at the future successor to Harry Kane for England.
By: Sekwila Mumba / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s3kwila
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Shaun Brooks – CameraSport