Liam Delap: The Chelsea No. 9 Curse And The Road To An England Call-Up

David

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Post on Jun 17, 2025

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Liam Delap: Can He Break the Chelsea No. 9 Curse and Earn an England Call-Up?

The iconic Chelsea No. 9 shirt. A symbol of prestige, a legacy etched in footballing folklore. But in recent years, it's become synonymous with something else entirely: underperformance. From Álvaro Morata's struggles to Romelu Lukaku's disappointing return, the weight of expectation has seemingly stifled some of the world's most talented strikers. Now, a young, ambitious player is eyeing a different path – one that could see him conquer this infamous curse and potentially earn a coveted England call-up: Liam Delap.

Delap, the son of former Stoke City and Derby County stalwart Rory Delap, possesses a raw power and predatory instinct reminiscent of his father’s renowned long throws. But unlike his father, Liam is carving a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer. His journey, however, is far from straightforward, and breaking the Chelsea No. 9 curse – should he ever wear the shirt – is only one hurdle in his ambitious path to international recognition.

From Manchester City's Academy to the Premier League's Spotlight

Delap's rise through Manchester City's youth academy was meteoric. His prolific goalscoring ability quickly caught the eye of scouts and fans alike. However, breaking into Pep Guardiola's star-studded first team proved incredibly challenging. Loan spells are often a crucial step for young players, providing valuable game time and experience. For Delap, this meant a move to Stoke City, a club with a history of nurturing young talent.

While his time at Stoke didn't yield the consistent goalscoring form many expected, it provided invaluable experience in the Championship, a notoriously physical and demanding league. This experience, combined with his natural talent, will be crucial as he navigates the challenges ahead. His performances, though not always consistently brilliant, showcased flashes of brilliance and the potential for greatness.

The England Pathway: A Steep Climb but Not Impossible

The road to an England call-up is notoriously difficult, especially for strikers. Competition is fierce, with established Premier League stars vying for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad. However, Delap's age (still relatively young) and his clear potential suggest he’s not just a hopeful candidate, but one worth watching carefully.

To reach the England squad, Delap needs consistent high-level performances. This means securing a regular starting role at a top-flight club, whether that’s a continued progression at a club like Stoke or a move to a bigger Premier League team. He needs to demonstrate not only goalscoring prowess, but also a well-rounded game, including link-up play, pressing, and overall tactical awareness. A successful season showing significant improvement in all aspects of his game could catapult him onto the international stage.

Can He Overcome the Odds?

Liam Delap’s story is one of potential, ambition, and overcoming challenges. While the Chelsea No. 9 curse looms large in the minds of many fans, it’s important to remember that Delap's journey is his own. His focus should be on consistent performance and improvement, regardless of the shirt number he might wear in the future. His potential is undeniable, and if he can maintain his progress, the England call-up isn't just a dream – it's a very real possibility. Only time will tell if he can break the mold and write his own chapter in football history.

What do you think? Can Liam Delap break the Chelsea No. 9 curse and earn an England call-up? Let us know in the comments below!