Chelsea boss Maresca talks down Delap transfer rumours | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has talked down suggestions that Chelsea are interested in signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town this summer.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with an approach to sign Delap, who has scored 12 league goals in a struggling side this season. The 22-year-old is set to be available for a fee of £30m in the summer, due to a release clause in his contract.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing a striker this summer and Delap is a player that Maresca knows well.

The Chelsea boss worked with the England u-21 international at former club Manchester City, where Delap progressed from the ranks before his move to Ipswich last summer. He will come up against the forward when Chelsea face Ipswich this weekend.

“In terms of numbers, Liam Delap is doing fantastic. I think he’s scored 12 Premier League goals already,” Maresca said at his pre-match press conference.

“The way he plays and fight, he’s really always there. But he’s an Ipswich player. He’s an enemy on Sunday.”

Maresca was asked whether Delap would be a player of interest this summer but insisted he already has his ‘perfect number nine’ in Nicolas Jackson.

“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a number nine.

“It’s not summer now. If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s OK. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team. Nico is the one we need.”

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