Liam Delap
CHEEngland
Right
Feb 8, 2003
23
6'1"
159 lb
CF
--
Poacher
ChelseaWins penalty off bench
Delap came off the bench in the 74th minute and won a penalty in Saturday's 2-0 win over Brentford.
Analysis: Delap missed the midweek EFL Cup match against Arsenal but made an immediate impact off the bench on his return, winning a penalty one minute after coming on that led to the second goal. The forward has had increased involvement recently, making two starts in his last four league appearances during a congested fixture schedule and scoring once. He has yet to start under new head coach Liam Rosenior, facing competition from Joao Pedro.
Clears illness Saturday
Delap (illness) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Brentford.
Analysis: Delap is named on the bench for Saturday's clash against Brentford as he continues to recover from an illness. While not fit enough to start, he remains an option during the match depending on how it unfolds. Delap has been a regular starter when fit for the Blues this season and could keep a similar once fully fit under coach Liam Rosenior.
Not training Thursday
Delap (illness) remains a doubt for Saturday's clash against Brentford, coach Liam Rosenior said in the press conference. "With regards to Liam, no he's still at home [Thursday] at the moment recovering."
Analysis: Delap is still dealing with an illness and could miss Saturday's clash against Brentford. The striker will hope to recover fully for Wednesday's clash against Pafos in the Champions League. Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro are the two main option to start as the No. 9 against the Bees to replace him.
Dealing with illness
Delap suffered an illness which prevented him from playing in the midweek EFL Cup derby against Arsenal, Bobby Vincent of Mirror Sport reports.
Analysis: Delap could now be limited in league action if he continues to struggle with the issue after recording 139 minutes of play so far across all competitions in January. Marc Guiu will get the nod up front with Delap missing the midweek game, although Joao Pedro could move back to a center-forward role for upcoming contests.
First Chelsea goal
Delap scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) and two chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
Analysis: Delap pounced on a loose ball at the goalmouth to smash home his fist Chelsea goal Wednesday in a 2-1 road defeat versus Fulham. Albeit in a losing effort, the striker's effort Wednesday marked a season-high for a single appearance in minutes (90), shots on goal (two), chances created (two) and passes completed (15). After missing three fixtures due to a shouler injury, Delap has made four appearances (two starts) across Chelsea's subsequent four matches.
Two shots from bench
Delap generated two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Manchester City. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 79th minute.
Analysis: Delap appeared from the bench Sunday and would see 28 minutes of play. His efforts were decent with two shots, one hitting the target, but not finding the back of the net. He has yet to earn a goal in league play this season, appearing in 11 games (seven starts).
Makes bench Saturday
Delap (shoulder) is on the bench for Saturday's game against Aston Villa.
Analysis: Delap is back from his latest injury setback and will aim to see minutes off the bench. Joao Pedro will continue to lead the attacking line for the Blues. Delap has yet to score a Premier League goal for Chelsea in 2025/26.
Available against Aston Villa
Delap (shoulder) is back available for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference, according to Kieran Gill from Daily Mail.
Analysis: Delap has fully recovered from his shoulder injury and is an option to face Aston Villa on Saturday. The striker has started six of his eight appearances in the Premier League for Chelsea but still has to find his first goal. Delap will be in competition with Joao Pedro for the starting striker role moving forward.
Likely against Aston Villa
Delap (shoulder) is likely going to be available for next week's clash against Aston Villa, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference. "Liam and Estevao are both doing well and we think they could probably both be back for the next game against Aston Villa. With Liam, we said that since his [hamstring] injury we didn't know exactly for how long [he'd be out] but he's progressing very well."
Analysis: Delap is progressing well in his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury he suffered against Bournemouth and could be in line to be back available for next week's clash against Aston Villa. This is positive news for the Blues since he is a regular starter when fit and could be set for a decent role during the two last fixtures of the year if deemed fit enough to return. Joao Pedro is expected to replace him as the striker until he returns.
Timeline to return uncertain
Delap (shoulder) is expected to miss several weeks due to an injury but his timeline remains uncertain, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference, according to Football London. "We don't know yet. It can be still two, three, four weeks. We don't know exactly how many days he needs."
Analysis: Delap suffered a shoulder injury against Bournemouth that will sideline him for several weeks, although a precise timeline is not known at this stage. The striker was initially expected to miss six to eight weeks, but coach Enzo Maresca now suggests a two to four weeks recovery period before he can return. This would be good news for the Blues, as it indicates the number nine could return in early January rather than late January to reclaim his starting role in the frontline.
Avoids fracture
Delap (shoulder) avoided a fracture, manager Enzo Maresca announced Monday. "Liam, fortunately, there is no fracture, which is good news."
Analysis: Delap is still expected to miss multiple weeks with the shoulder injury, but he seems likely to avoid surgery. Maresca refused to put any specific timeline on Delap's return, but it seems the injury isn't nearly as bad as it might have been.
Set to miss several weeks
Delap (shoulder) is set to miss six to eight weeks due to injury, according to Alex Crook from talkSPORT.
Analysis: Delap suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of Saturday's draw against Bournemouth and is set to miss six to eight weeks to recover. This is a major blow for Chelsea since he was coming back from a two-months absence due to a hamstring injury and will now miss some more time. This will allow Joao Pedro to take a larger role in the frontline again while he is sidelined.
Off early Saturday
Delap was off in the 31st minute of Saturday's match against Bournemouth due to an apparent shoulder injury.
Analysis: Delap would leave the field early Saturday and appear to have suffered a shoulder injury, as the forward was viewed holding his arm in a sling. This is rough for the forward after he has already missed over a month of action earlier in the season due to injury, hoping to avoid another absence. He will be set for further testing in the coming days, with Joao Pedro as a likely replacement if he misses further time after only being an option from the bench Saturday.
Strikes as substitute
Delap scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal) and crossing once accurately during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Barcelona.
Analysis: Delap entered the match in the 59th minute and scored Chelsea's final goal 14 minutes later. The goal was the first in the Champions League for Delap as he's combined for three shots across his two appearances in the competition as he's made both appearances from the bench.
Clears suspension
Delap is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.
Analysis: Delap has served his suspension following his straight red card against Wolves in the Carabao Cup and is set to return in the next contest. The striker could return straight into the starting XI for the Blues since he was a regular starter prior to his long term hamstring injury.
Returns, and sent off
Delap (hamstring) returned off the bench during Wednesday's clash with Wolves, and was sent off.
Analysis: Delap returned in Carabao Cup action but was sent off for a pair of yellow cards. The striker will now miss a Saturday trip to Tottenham. Marc Guiu could be in line for another start with Delap now suspended for a single match. Delap's next chance to play in the Premier League will be a Nov. 8 clash with Wolves.
Back available in Cup
Delap (hamstring) is back available to play some minutes in Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash against Wolves, coach Enzo Maresca confirmed in the press conference, according to The Standard. "No, he will not play 90 minutes. He's been out two months, so he needs to be gradually brought back to 100 per cent [fitness]."
Analysis: Delap has fully recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out since late August. The striker is available for Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash against Wolves and is expected to see some minutes to build his match fitness. This is excellent news for Chelsea, as he will likely play a decent role in the frontline once fully fit.
Could return against Wolves
Delap (hamstring) took part in training on Thursday and could be back for the game against Wolves next week, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference, according to Simon Johnson from The Athletic.
Analysis: Delap has taken part of team training on Thursday and isn't that far from making his return to the match squad since that could happen in the game against Wolves on Nov. 8. Delap is expected to hold a decent role as the striker for Chelsea and will likely see a decent playing time once fully back fit.
Close to resume team training
Delap (hamstring) is close to resume team training and it could happen in several days, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference, according to Football London. "Liam is very close. He is not working with us yet. He is still out. Hopefully in the next days he can start training with us."
Analysis: Delap suffered a long-term hamstring injury during the game against the Cottagers in late August but has made good progress in his recovery and is expected to resume team training very soon, likely in the coming days. This is good news for Chelsea as he should have a decent role in the striker position once he is fully fit and available.
Out 10 to 12 weeks
Delap (hamstring) is expected to be out for 10 to 12 weeks, coach Enzo Maresca said in the press conference. "Liam is around 10-12 weeks, so a long way to go."
Analysis: Delap suffered a hamstring injury in the game against Fulham and is expected to miss between 10 and 12 weeks. This is a big blow for Chelsea as he was set to have a significant role in the frontline and his absence will force a change in the XI, with Tyrique George or Marc Guiu likely to see increased playing time and Joao Pedro often starting in the striker position.
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