Can Finn Delap Follow In His Brother’s Footsteps To The Top?

England's new pair of footballing brothers

The world of football is constantly seeing brothers take to the stage, athletic ability often runs in the family, and in recent years we have seen the likes of the Mbappé, Bellingham, Ayew and Hazard brothers all play at top levels. The Premier League has been taken aback by Liam Delap’s swift rise to the top, however, his younger brother Finn is another upcoming prospect in English football and could follow in his father (Rory) and brother’s footsteps in becoming a cult Premier League name in years to come.

Academy Days & Non-League Loans

Like his brother Liam, Finn Delap came through the Derby County academy, the club their dad was a coach for at the time. Following his release from the academy in 2021, he was snapped up by League One side Burton Albion aged 16. He made his EFL debut for Burton in February 2024, aged 18, coming off the bench in a game against Bristol Rovers. Before making his second appearance a week later, as of now they are the only two senior caps Delap has for the Brewers, as he has spent most of his teenage years on loan at local Derbyshire non-league sides Mickleover and Ilkeston Town. He then took the step up from the seventh to the fifth tier to test himself at Woking in the National League for the last couple of months of the 2023/24 campaign.

We would also like to announce that @delap_finn has returned to @burtonalbionfc after a very successful loan❤️🖤

Finn has been the perfect professional during his time at the club, and we wish him nothing but success in the future❤️🖤

Good luck, Finn, go smash it💪❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/zWPrDDkrNh

— Mickleover FC (@Mickleover_FC) February 3, 2024

Finn Delap's Season So Far

This season Finn Delap played again in the EFL Trophy for Burton before spending three months on loan at Buxton in the sixth tier, where he played every game available in that time. Since December he has been on the bench in all of Burton’s games but is yet to be called up to play again. That being said, Delap is just 19 and is still very inexperienced at League One level. All it takes is an injury or suspension for the youngster to receive a first-ever start for the Brewers.

Playstyle & Future

Unlike his brother, Delap is a centre half, however, he shares many traits such as a tall stature and natural strength. Whilst he didn’t get snapped up by Manchester City’s academy, Finn Delap is taking his own route to the top. Experience via a loan move to League Two could be the next option for the 19-year-old as once he starts playing regularly in the EFL, Championship or even Premier League, clubs could start to keep tabs on him. Delap is also eligible to play for the English and Irish national team, with the latter often selecting players from the EFL. There’s still little coverage of the player out there, but do not be surprised if you see a third Delap name pop up frequently in a few years' time.