Delap Makes Chelsea Debut: Just How Far Can He Go?

Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener might be remembered for the sea of empty seats in the stands, but those who tuned in should really be talking about one thing: the debut of Liam Delap.

Liam Delap 😍💙 pic.twitter.com/5y08kufcFa

— CFC Pics (@Mohxmmad) June 16, 2025

Delightful Debut

Making his first appearance since a £30 million move from Ipswich, Delap was brought on in the 64th minute and needed just four minutes to justify the hype. Collecting the ball from Cole Palmer just outside the box, the 22-year-old showed exactly why Chelsea were so keen to snap him up. He held off LAFC captain Aaron Long, jinked past him on the right side of the area, cut along the baseline, and poked a teasing pass into a dangerous area. Unfortunately, Enzo Fernandez latched onto it too late, with his shot deflecting off a defender for a corner.

For Delap, however, it was a moment made from nothing. His pace, power, and persistence helped create a chance, and it is these three desirable qualities that have come to define him in his early stages as a pro.

Just 10 minutes later, Delap and Palmer linked up again. It was déjà vu as Palmer picked up the ball just inside the half, Delap peeled off to the right, calmly collected a perfectly weighted pass, and delivered a delicious looping cross. This time, Fernandez was able to finish it off. One assist, fifteen minutes into your Chelsea debut. Not bad at all.

Movement and Cross from Liam Delap.

Absolute Perfection. pic.twitter.com/JyiCUTUAVp

— Zeno (@CFCZeno) June 17, 2025

Delap continued to impress as he spent his half-hour on the pitch making intelligent runs, pulling defenders away to free up space for Pedro Neto (who had a blinder), and offering a focal point Chelsea sometimes lacked last season. He kept the ball brilliantly, played with his head up, and moved it on with precision.

Delap wasn’t trying to do too much. He showed that he is an attacker who thinks before he acts. And in such a fast-paced sport, it's how quickly you think - not just how fast you move - that really counts.

Of course, his outing should be taken with a pinch of salt. LAFC’s back line, with an average age pushing 31 and only one player - Long - having senior international caps (and for the USA, no less), isn’t exactly elite opposition. But Delap’s raw no.9 qualities are clear to see.

Can He Find Success at Chelsea?

The short answer is yes.

Delap has already shown he's capable of finding the net in the Premier League. His 12 goals in 37 appearances for a relegated side last season may not jump off the page, but for a youngster in his first full-on top-flight campaign, that’s a solid return. Especially when you consider his underlying numbers: 12 goals from an xG of just 9.34. In contrast, Nicolas Jackson - Chelsea’s first-choice striker last season - underperformed, scoring 10 goals from an xG of 12.3.

There is no doubt that Jackson has quality, but last season he often looked short of ideas and creativity. In Delap, it seems that Palmer now has a striker he can create a proper connection with. Their chemistry already looks automatic. Add in wide options like Neto and Madueke - both inconsistent last season, but capable of brilliance - and Delap could be the finisher Chelsea have lacked for years.

Speaking of Neto and Madueke, their performances will be key for Delap's success. He can't just rely on Palmer for world-class service - it has to come from all corners of the pitch. If such players out wide maintain high levels, the goals will come for the former Tractor Boy.

It’s not just about goals, either. Delap’s dribbling success rate (51.9%) last season dwarfed Jackson’s (36%). That ability to hold up play, drive forward, and maintain control gives Chelsea's midfield the time and space to build. It will also allow their wing-backs, such as Marc Cucurella and Reece James, to make the most of their attacking prowess.

🚨| Liam Delap after Chelsea debut assist:

🗣️ “I know what they say about the Chelsea No.9… but I’m not here to wear a number. I’m here to rewrite the narrative.” pic.twitter.com/IlDr3Yzp9M

— Phake Sports News ™️®️ (@PhakeSportNews) June 17, 2025

Manager Enzo Maresca was clearly impressed.

“The good thing about Liam is he knows the way we want to play, so the process is quite quick,” he said after the game.

He also made it clear that the striker competition is very much open:

“I am curious to see how Nico reacts.”

With a tougher test against Flamengo on Friday in Philadelphia, it will be intriguing to see how Delap fares against better opposition. If he manifests the same sort of performance throughout this competition, it’ll be hard to argue against him starting ahead of Jackson when the Premier League kicks off in August.