Maresca backs Delap to become ´an important player for England´

Liam Delap will become “an important player for England”, so says Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who coached the striker in Manchester City’s academy.

Maresca and Delap meet again at Portman Road on Monday as Chelsea travel to face struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old, son of former Stoke City man Rory Delap, has scored six times in 17 top-flight appearances since leaving City for Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20million.

Chelsea will have to contend with Delap’s bustling pace and physicality when they face Kieran McKenna’s side, and Maresca expects his former forward to shine for the national team in the future.

Pace, power, skill, finish.

Liam Delap’s second of the afternoon. #IPSAVL pic.twitter.com/HFT3jWSBmO

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) September 29, 2024

“Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age,” said Maresca. “I think we spent one year together and he scored [about] 22 to 24 goals. He is a very good striker.

“England have many good players, many good strikers [but] he’s working hard off the ball and on the ball, understands the game and can score goals. I think he can be an important player for England.”

Delap scored 35 goals in 36 games for City’s Under-21s before spending time on loan at Championship sides Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City, the latter where he impressed last season.

The former Man City striker has appeared at every age grade for England, scoring twice in 10 games for the under-21s, but is yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions.