England: Liam Delap Club World Cup decision could backfire on new Chelsea signing

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Evening Standard

·7 June 2025

England: Liam Delap Club World Cup decision could backfire on new Chelsea signing

Delap has been left out of the England U21 squad for this summer’s big tournament

Liam Delap's omission from England’s Under-21 squad for the European Championships this summer could work against the new Chelsea signing in the long-term amid previous comments from Thomas Tuchel.

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Delap completed his move to Stamford Bridge earlier this week after the Blues activated the £30million release clause in his Ipswich contract following their relegation from the Premier League.

Chelsea fans will not have to wait long to see their new striker in action as he will be available for the Club World Cup tournament that gets underway later this month.

This is because Delap has not been named in the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships in Slovakia.

Delap was due to be apart of Lee Carsley’s plans and interestingly, when speaking just last month, Tuchel - the head coach of the England senior team - highlighted the importance of the U21 European Championships.

He said: "Together [Wharton] along with Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Elliott Anderson and Liam Delap - all names who could play a role for us but a major tournament comes up for the Under-21s and the intention is they play a big part in this tournament.

"I like it a lot that they have chances to be leaders in this group, to be players we hopefully will rely on.

“We will monitor them closely but we decided that with these players they take the responsibility for the Under-21s."

It remains to be seen if this decision has any impact on Delap with regards to a future senior England call-up for as long as Tuchel is in charge of the national team.