Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap's remarkable transformation from a struggling Championship loanee to a Premier League sensation has caught the attention of England's national team selectors. The 21-year-old forward, who has netted eight league goals this season following his £20m move from Manchester City, is set to face his former club this Sunday.
Just two years ago, Delap struggled to make an impact during loan spells at Stoke City and Preston North End, managing only four goals across an entire Championship season. However, his development took a significant turn during his time at Hull City, where he scored eight goals in 32 appearances before an injury setback.
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton praised Delap's comprehensive skill set, noting, "He has got a bit of everything in his game. He can handle himself physically and he has got a brilliant touch too. The best thing about him, though, is that he is pretty fearless."
The Winchester-born striker's journey began in Derby County's academy before joining Manchester City at 16, where he impressed with 35 goals in 36 games for the under-21 team. Despite limited first-team opportunities at City, making just six appearances and scoring once in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth, Delap's potential was evident.
Former England international Steph Houghton, who witnessed Delap's rehabilitation at Manchester City, was particularly impressed by his mentality. "When he came back and did his rehab, from a physical point of view, Liam just turned into an absolute beast," she revealed. "Everyone at City knew that he had potential, just because of his physique. He was always a different striker to everyone else that's been at City."
His £20m summer move to Ipswich Town has proven transformative, with Delap outscoring every Arsenal player this season and trailing only Erling Haaland among Manchester City's current squad. "Signing him was really smart business by Ipswich because they saw something in him that others maybe didn't," Sutton observed.
The striker's impressive form has sparked discussions about a potential England call-up under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Alan Shearer, speaking on BBC Match of the Day, emphasized the scarcity of English striking talent: "We're not blessed with English strikers and there's no doubt Thomas Tuchel will have a good look at him."
Despite interest from his father Rory's native Ireland, Delap remains focused on his England ambitions. "When I set out I always wanted to play in the Premier League and represent my country," he stated. "It's an honour to play for your country. I just let the football do the talking."
His performances have already attracted attention from Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. While Manchester City retain a buy-back option and sell-on clause, there's been no indication they plan to exercise these rights.
After waiting 907 days between his second and third Premier League appearances, Delap has established himself as a top-flight striker. His journey from goal-shy loan spells to Premier League prominence serves as a testament to his determination and development, suggesting this is just the beginning of a promising career at the highest level.
