As the 25/26 Premier League season approaches, we bring you a full breakdown of Liam Delap’s transfer to Chelsea and how he impacts the upcoming FPL season! We break down Delap’s position and role, his indivdual impact, the impact to his team and what all of that means for his FPL value. We also take a shot at estimating his price range and stats!
Make sure to check out the Transfer Wizard for customised suggestions within your budget!
Check out the FPL Rankings page to see all the best FPL players ranked by position.
View our complete FPL Guidebook here, where you can find the answers and guide’s to your general fantasy queries. This is a great tool for any newcomer to FPL.
Also check out the Games section for your chance to win prizes by competing in challenges.
Transfer Overview:
Transfer:
From Ipswich to Chelsea.
Tranfer Fee:
£30 million release clause.
Contract Length:
6 years. Contract runs until 2031.
Wage:
£100k per week plus likely goal, assist and trophy bonuses.
Individual Analysis:
Position:
Delap is an out and out fairly traditional number 9. Think hold up play, runs in behind, some dribbling skill because it’s 2025, and of course goals. I do not think he can play any other position at the highest level other than striker.
(Source: Sofascore.com)
Role & Stats:
Delap is a bit of a modern version of the traditional number 9. He constantly makes runs in behind while also offering good hold up play and finishing ability, and can dribble in tight spaces quite well for a tall player.
Scoring 12 goals (10 non penalty) for a relegated side, from only 9.34xG is mightily impressive and highlights how clinical his finishing ability is. He also is able to create chances for himself, through sheer force, speed, strength and some skillful dribbling, as he often had to do for Ipswich last season. This all means he adds value rather than needing specific surroundings to contribute.
Going from the team that finished 18th in xG and Big Chances Created to Chelsea who finished 3rd in xG and 2nd in BCC. If Delap can get consistent minutes and starts at Chelsea’s number 9, he could easily beat his goal tally from last season given his finishing ability combined with playing is a side that are worlds clear of the Ipswich side he played for last season when it comes to chance creation and scoring goals.
Delap is not much of a creative threat/chance creator. He had 2 assists from 1.4xA last season which are both low totals even for a true number 9. It is not so much that he has poor decision making or execution but it just is not his natural game to think pass/create for others first rather than finding a way to get a shot off.
(Source: Fotmob.com)
Expected Minutes:
With Chelsea’s £50 million signing of Joao Pedro, along with Jackson not looking likely to be sold, predicting who Maresca’s preferred striker will be is difficult. However, the fact Delap has worked with Maresca, Palmer and others before when he played for Man City’s academy, will bode well for him.
I believe Delap and Joao Pedro will be the favoured two lead options with Jackson rotating in for the domestic cups, Europe and potentially against the bottom 5/6 Premier League teams at home.
Delap’s expected minutes, at least to begin the season, are limited by Joao Pedro’s signing and Palmer almost certainly staying as Chelsea’s number 10, with Gittens, Neto and Madueke playing on the wings. However I do think he will start the season as Chelsea’s striker.
Delap and Joao Pedro playing together is likely limited by the fact Palmer will stay in the 10 role. There is potential for Joao Pedro to play off the left, with Delap and Palmer still in the team. If we see this is Maresca’s preferred XI, then the cap on Delap’s FPL ceiling is removed and he could be a great value.
FPL Position:
Cheap Forward
FPL Analysis:
Delap will likely be between £6.5-£7.0m so on the border between a cheap or premium Forward, which could benefit anyone willing to take a risk on owning him from GW1 if he manages to cement himself as Maresca’s preferred number 9. His price will only rise if that ends up being the case.
The fact Maresca has worked with him and he has played with Palmer before, means the chemistry could develop quickly. There are factors that bode well for Delap’s FPL viability.
Delap vs Joao Pedro and how those minutes balance out will be huge for FPL. Where Maresca is comfortable starting Joao Pedro in the XI outside of him starting as the striker will be key to watch, because if that is both the number 10 and also the LW spot, you would have to assume Delap’s expected minutes are more secure in the number 9 spot.
If Delap is locked in as Chelsea’s starting striker, I would prefer him over other Forwards in his price range like Mateta, Evanilson, Wissa etc. However, if the minutes in that spot are split between him and Joao Pedro then that flips and I would prefer those other Forwards.
The young English striker does foul a lot and pick up yellows, so not only does that affect his points total and BP chances, but also means he is often substituted around the 60-70 min mark.
Team Impact:
Delap offers similar movement in behind that Jackson does, but adds greater hold up play in the air and a greater goal threat than Jackson with more consistent finishing. This could not only mean Chelsea as a team score more goals, but could have a positive impact on multiple Chelsea players assist numbers, especially Palmers.
Delap also offers is a superior threat in the air to Jackson so Chelsea might be a better set piece and crossing team this season.
Delap’s pace, hold up play, dribbling and ability to win fouls should mean Chelsea not only can play more direct if they need to this season but their counter attacks might be more potent.
FPL Price Range Prediction:
£6.5-£7.0m
My Prediction:
Delap will be in consideration to be in my FPL team in GW1, especially if during pre season he is consistently the starting striker and Maresca makes it clear in interviews the plan is for Delap to lead the line for Chelsea. He has started Chelsea’s round of 16 and Quarter Final victories in the CWC against Benfica and Palmeiras.
I simply would prefer to have the starting striker for Chelsea, a top 3 chance creating team in the league last season, than having Wissa, Evanilson or Mateta or any other Forward in that £6.5m-£7.5m price range.
If Delap can lock down that starting spot, then he will comfortably out do his G/A numbers from last season. A player than could deliver 15+ G/A for around £7.0m from GW1 could be a great value.
An absolute FPL Fanatic, with a strong background in sports Journalism and statistics, Ahsan is one of the key writers here at ingenuity. Ahsan's content stretches from How-to guides right up to analytical deep dives on players, making his content appealing for both the serious fantasy player and newbie alike.
08 Jul, 2025
