Chelsea have five huge matches left this season as they chase Champions League football but Enzo Maresca is already planning for next season – but could Arsenal have a say in their transfer plans?
Maresca’s side occupies fifth spot after Chelsea impressively defeated champions Liverpool, which sees them three games from returning to Europe’s centrepiece competition.
The Blues are also in the driver’s seat in their Europa Conference League semi-final, leading Djurgårdens IF 4-1 heading into the home second leg.
Despite it being crunch time for Chelsea, thoughts are already cast to next season and who can be brought to Stamford Bridge.
As ever though, there are very few players likely to catch Chelsea’s eye who will not also be sought after by other clubs and the race has begun for one hot prospect.
Liam Delap attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Chelsea have been pursuing Liam Delap for some time now and there have been rumours circulating about the Ipswich Town forward heading to Stamford Bridge this summer.
With the Tractor Boys returning to the Championship after their relegation was confirmed, Delap has a release clause of just £30m which has alerted several Premier League clubs.
Chelsea remain favourites to sign Delap but they are not the only club going after the 22-year-old as rivals Arsenal joined the race.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have spoken with Delap’s representatives and told them exactly how he would fit into their plans.
It is likely he would have to fight for minutes at the Emirates, with The Gunners also after a more experienced striker.
While Arsenal have been a more stable club over the last three seasons, Chelsea returning to the Champions League may level the playing field and they may have a trump card to seal the deal up their sleeves too.
Enzo Maresca is already a fan of Ipswich Town’s Delap
Having coached Delap when the pair were at Manchester City’s Under-23 side, Maresca has the advantage of a relationship with the Ipswich striker.
Maresca previously said Delap was “doing fantastic” before Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town in April.
In December he told the BBC how good he was when the two worked together, saying: “Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age, I think we spent one year together and he scored [about] 22 to 24 goals, he is a very good striker.”
| Matches | 34 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 2 |
Delap’s Premier League numbers this season
Delap could follow fellow City academy graduates Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo to Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea are also interested in Morgan Rogers, another former City academy star.
Chelsea will face competition to secure the services of the young Englishman but with Maresca’s knowledge of the player, that might just be the cherry on the cake for Delap to join The Blues.
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