Alan Shearer has a high opinion of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, claiming the youngster is a better forward than any of the options Manchester United or Chelsea possess
Alan Shearer has showered praise on Ipswich Town star Liam Delap, who he claimed is a level above the strikers leading the line at both Manchester United and Chelsea. The England U21 striker has enjoyed an impressive season at Portman Road, scoring 11 Premier League goals for the struggling side.
Nine points adrift of safety with eight games to go, a swift relegation back to the Championship looks likely for Kieran McKenna’s side unless they capture a winning formula until the end of the season, one which will need to start with the visit of Wolves to Portman Road on Saturday.
Delap’s £20million switch to Ipswich from Manchester City last summer saw the reigning Premier League champions bid adieu to another one of their academy graduates. He followed the likes of Jadon Sancho, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Cole Palmer as fellow youngsters to depart the Etihad for regular game time.
However, after just a year with the club, he’s been earmarked for a second big-money move of his career by Shearer, even if Ipswich manage to retain their Premier League status. «Ipswich fans won’t want to hear it, but it’s inevitable that he’ll be linked with massive football clubs because he’s a really good talent,» the Newcastle icon told Betfair.
«They’re sat on something special are Ipswich. They put their neck on the line and paid the money for him and they’ve done very well with him. Delap has stood out this season which unfortunately means that he will attract the attention of the big clubs.
«It’s going to be very difficult for Ipswich to keep hold of him, particularly because if, as expected, they’re going to get relegated. Having had a taste of the Premier League, he won’t want to go back to the Championship.»
With several of the league’s big hitters likely to target a number nine in the summer, Delap has certainly done himself justice in his debut season in England’s top flight. He’s done so well that Shearer believes his quality surpasses the forward options that Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca have at their disposal.
«Big clubs will be looking at him, because I think he’s got something about him,» he added. «He’s got an arrogance about him, which I really like and he’s got an aura.
«He’s already been linked with a number of clubs in the Premier League and looking at who he’s been linked with I think he can go in and command a starting role, because he’s better than anything Man Utd have got up front.
«He’s also better than anything Chelsea have got up front, so the answer is simple – yes, he would start for those clubs.» Despite parting ways with Delap, Guardiola admitted he always knew his former player was destined to succeed in the Premier League.
«He’s doing really well,» the City boss said of Delap in January. «Many players came up from this academy. They are set up perfectly in the Premier League.
«When he was here, always we thought he was a typical striker for the Premier League. He’s doing really well and we’re happy for him.»
A reported clause in Delap’s current contract states he can depart for £40m if Ipswich do indeed get relegated. And it’s hard to envision that going unactivated, with United having the chance to get one over on their neighbours – although a potential buy-back clause could muddy the waters.
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