Physical centre forwards are back in fashion. Erling Haaland might be to blame for that as Manchester City’s record-breaking battering ram of a number nine. Everyone wants a striker like the Norwegian and Ipswich Town, of all teams, might have one. Indeed, Liam Delap is The Tractor Boys’ very own Haaland-lite.
Delap has six goals in 14 Premier League appearances this season following a summer transfer to Portman Road. The 21-year-old has given Ipswich the cutting edge they require to stand any chance of avoiding relegation back to the Championship with Delap now widely considered the best young English striker in his age group.
Having come through the academy system at Manchester City, Delap has the technical ability to hold his own in a Kieran McKenna team. His first touch is good. He likes to dribble. He can link up with teammates. The youngster’s awareness of space is also as sharp as you would expect for someone who was coached by Pep Guardiola.
For all that Delap is comfortable with the ball at his feet, though, it’s his physical attributes that make him truly special. His movement is exceptional. He knows know to take up good scoring positions inside the box and has the directness to terrify opposition defenders. At full speed, he is a force of nature. That’s where the Haaland comparison comes from.
It could be argued Delap is stronger than Haaland in some areas. The Ipswich striker has won possession in the final third eight times this season compared to Haaland’s four. McKenna wants his team to press high up the pitch and Delap is intelligent in his closing down. He sets the tone for The Tractor Boys from the front.
Delap’s dribbling numbers also outweigh Haaland’s. While the Manchester City forward has registered six successful dribbles in the Premier League this season, Delap has 13 to his name. Haaland could never be described as immobile, but Delap has the additional skill of being able to carry the ball.
“I won’t say he’s unique because there are a few more in the Premier League at the moment as well, physical centre forwards, but maybe over the last five or six years in the Premier League they haven’t been falling off the trees,” said McKenna about Delap. “I think you can tell what his ceiling might be. I think it’s clear. I think he can play at the highest levels of the game, there’s no doubt about that.”
Despite only joining Ipswich from Manchester City in July, speculation is swirling around Delap’s next move. Chelsea and Manchester United are believed to be admirers of the young striker, although any transfer away from Portman Road could be impacted by City’s reportedly having a buyback option on the 21-year-old. He could yet end up back at the Etihad Stadium.
Some believed Delap had made the jump up to the Premier League too early. While the youngster caught the eye on loan at Hull City last season, his tally of eight goals in the Championship hardly hinted at a striker ready to take the English top flight by storm even if injury hindered him. Having reached another level this term, though, it’s understandable that the Premier League’s biggest clubs believe he could make another quick jump up.
For now, though, Delap must focus on further developing his game and scoring the goals to keep Ipswich Town in the Premier League. After a slow start to the season, McKenna’s team are growing with almost every match they play and Delap has been a big part of that improvement, scoring the winner in Ipswich’s only league win of the campaign so far away to Tottenham Hotspur.
With Thomas Tuchel set to take over as England manager in the new year, it’s possible Delap could soon break into the national team. Harry Kane remains The Three Lions’ first-choice centre forward, but at 31 years old is increasingly injury prone. Tuchel will need a Plan B to cover the threat of Kane missing matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Of course, the likes of Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins have already been part of the England team and continue to operate at a high level in the Premier League. Delap, however, might have a higher ceiling than either of them. If the Ipswich frontman is going to be a big part of England’s future, it makes sense to integrate him as quickly as possible.
Kane’s all-round game makes him unique and Delap might never have the playmaking ability or passing range of the Bayern Munich striker who likes to drop deep, but he could be England’s Haaland imitation just as he is evoking the spirit of the Norwegian for Ipswich Town in the Premier League this season.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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