"Fits the profile McKenna looks for" - Claim made as Ipswich Town eye Liam Delap successor | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich Town fan pundit believes the Tractor Boys should do all they can to secure a deal for Chelsea's young talent

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have been backed to take Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu on loan next season.

The Guardian has reported that Kieran McKenna's side want the forward to move to Portman Road, as negotiations continue between Ipswich and Chelsea over Liam Delap.

It would be a separate deal to the Delap one, as per Ben Jacobs. However, the Spaniard, who was bought from FC Barcelona for £5 million last summer, is not sold on the proposed move to East Anglia.

Football League World’s Ipswich Town fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, hopes the Tractor Boys can strike a deal for Guiu’s services next year.

Ipswich Town encouraged to complete Marc Guiu deal

“Marc Guiu would be an excellent loan signing,” stated Adam. “His loan wouldn't take up a squad space because of his age. I think he's a player that a lot of Ipswich Town fans are excited about.

“He fits the sort of profile that McKenna looks for in a striker. He's obviously had a good season in the Conference League without getting too much game time in Chelsea's first team.

“I think it is more of a surprise that he's being linked with a Championship loan rather than a higher level. He's clearly a talented youngster.

“Leading the line in the Championship is tough, but Liam Delap has shown this season that it doesn't necessarily matter how old you are, if you've got the talent, you can be successful.

“McKenna has a track record of developing younger players. We've seen it with Delap and Omari Hutchinson. I think that makes it an exciting prospect for a young loan signing to come in.

“Chelsea will expect Guiu to get game time, and I think he will. He could end up being either the starting No.9 or may come off the bench and rotate with George Hurst, because that's something that Ipswich used very effectively towards the end of last season. Having a starting striker and a finishing striker.

“I'm very excited by the links to him.”

Marc Guiu would help soften Liam Delap blow

Delap will be a huge miss for Ipswich next season and is sure to leave a massive hole to fill at Portman Road.

The 22-year-old has been the Tractor Boys’ standout player in the Premier League, and his goals will need to be replaced next year. That’s where Guiu comes in.

The teenager has had very limited game time in domestic competitions since moving to Stamford Bridge but has impressed when given the opportunity. Most of his outings have been in the Europa Conference League, where he has netted six times in seven appearances.

He arrived in England as a very highly rated youngster who came through Barcelona's infamous La Masia academy system.

The six-foot-two centre-forward does have a great many attributes to his game, which certainly justifies Ipswich's interest in him.

Despite Delap’s departure, McKenna may have an opportunity to harbour another star of the future in the form of Guiu next season.