Troy Deeney slams Liam Delap’s Chelsea decision after Newcastle United ‘nonsense’

Liam Delap has made his decision, opting for Chelsea over Newcastle United in a move that has sparked debate among football pundits and fans alike. The 22-year-old striker, who impressed during his time at Ipswich Town, is set to join Enzo Maresca’s squad in a deal worth £30 million.

While Newcastle made a strong push to secure his signature, Delap ultimately chose Stamford Bridge, leaving the Magpies to explore alternative options for bolstering their attacking lineup.

Newcastle had identified Delap as a key target to provide depth behind Alexander Isak, especially with Callum Wilson expected to depart before the season begins.

Eddie Howe envisioned the young forward not only as a backup but also as a potential partner for Isak, adding versatility to the frontline. However, Delap’s preference for Chelsea has dashed those plans, raising questions about the reasoning behind his choice.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who dismissed Delap’s justification as “nonsense.”

Reports suggest that Delap was keen on joining a club where he would be the undisputed main striker—a role he felt Newcastle couldn’t guarantee due to Isak’s presence.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, journalist Alex Crook revealed that Chelsea’s promise of a leading role played a pivotal role in swaying Delap’s decision.

Deeney, however, wasn’t buying the explanation. “That’s a nonsense statement,” he fired back, arguing that Delap’s career trajectory doesn’t align with demanding such assurances at this stage.

But Deeney didn’t stop there—he went further, suggesting that even Newcastle wasn’t the right destination for the young forward. In his view, Manchester United would have been the ideal fit for Delap’s development.

“Personally, when I look at his progression, I thought Man United were perfect,” Deeney said. “He’s had experience in Under-23s football and a few loan spells—some decent, others less so. His season at Ipswich was solid but not exceptional. In fact, his form dipped in the second half.

There’s still so much he needs to improve, and joining United at this stage would have challenged him to step up as their main striker, preparing him for European football. Skipping that step could hinder his growth.”

Manchester United had initially been frontrunners for Delap’s signature, but their failure to secure Champions League qualification after a disappointing Europa League final loss altered the landscape.

Newcastle, despite being able to offer Champions League football, couldn’t promise Delap the consistent starting role he desired—something Chelsea seemingly guaranteed, even as reports suggest they remain in the market for another forward.

For Newcastle, the focus now shifts to alternative targets. While missing out on Delap is a setback, the club has other options to reinforce their attack. The challenge for Howe is to find a player who can complement Isak while accepting the competitive nature of a squad aiming for top-tier success.

As for Delap, his move to Chelsea comes with high expectations. The pressure to deliver as the “main man” will be immense, especially at a club with title ambitions.

Whether he thrives under that spotlight or finds himself overshadowed by new signings remains to be seen. One thing is certain—his decision has already divided opinion, with critics like Deeney questioning whether he’s making the right career move.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must regroup quickly. With Wilson’s departure looming, securing a reliable striker is crucial. The Magpies’ recruitment team will need to act decisively to ensure they don’t enter the new season short-handed.

Delap’s snub may sting, but in the fast-paced world of football transfers, there’s little time to dwell on what might have been. The real test lies in how both Delap and Newcastle respond when the new campaign kicks off.

For Chelsea, the signing represents another step in their aggressive squad rebuild under Maresca. Delap’s arrival signals their intent to invest in young talent, but whether he can justify the price tag and the faith placed in him will be one of the season’s intriguing storylines.

As the transfer saga unfolds, one thing is clear—Liam Delap’s career choices have ignited debate, and all eyes will be on him to prove he made the right call.