Football has always been an integral part of Liam Delap's life. That's why the 22-year-old striker remains calm. He knows the demands of the sport and the expectations placed on him. As a result, he believes he is well prepared for Chelsea.  

Liam Delap said: "Football is my lifelong pursuit. Since I was eight or nine years old, football has been everything to me. I have never wavered and never thought of any other options. For this goal, I have paid everything I can. Although this period is full of difficulties and challenges, I always enjoy it. I love football from the bottom of my heart. Even if I don’t become a professional player, I will play football with my teammates because this love has long been rooted in my heart. "  

"Luckily, my performances were good and I'm happy that my hard work paid off and I'm now playing for Chelsea."  

Liam Delap, who was photographed at Stamford Bridge with his mother Helen and father Rory by his side, is undoubtedly a fan favourite with a career that spanned more than two decades, including 14 seasons in the Premier League with Derby County, Southampton and Stoke City.  

Liam Delap said: “One of my earliest footballing memories is watching him play for Stoke at the Britannia Stadium and seeing him throw in those throw-ins. We went to as many games as we could and it was an invaluable experience growing up because I was always there.”  

"It made me realize the appeal of football at an early age, which is incredible and exactly what I wanted. But I knew the road would not be easy and I had to work hard to achieve it."  

"I'm very grateful to my parents. I have a younger brother and sister, and my mother took care of the family while my father was playing football, balancing our lives and making sure we were able to get to where we are today. I don't think I can ever fully repay them for their support, but I'm sure they're very proud of it, and that makes me grateful."  

Liam Delap started his career at Derby County Academy, where he played for nearly a decade. In 2019, he joined Manchester City, where he played with Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer, and was coached by Enzo Maresca in the 2020-21 season.  

Liam Delap helped Manchester City win the Premier League 2 title for the first time with his outstanding performance of 24 goals in 20 games. At the same time, he made his senior debut in the League Cup against Bournemouth and scored successfully. With Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland leading the Manchester City attack, Liam Delap chose to seek more playing opportunities in other teams and was loaned to Stoke City, Preston and Hull City in the Championship.  

"It's been a great experience for me," the forward said. "I've been through a lot of different things and I've learned from all of them and put them together. I'm always learning and growing."  

Last summer, Liam Delap officially left Manchester City and joined Ipswich, which had just been promoted to the Premier League. The deal provided the young striker with a stable playing environment and a platform to show his ability, and he made full use of this opportunity. In 11 Premier League games for Ipswich, he scored 6 goals, one of which was a key winning goal away against Tottenham Hotspur.  

Liam Delap said: "The most important decision last summer was to join a team that could guarantee me a lot of playing time. I think I need such a platform to prove my strength. Ipswich gave me this opportunity and I am very grateful."  

“Growing up watching Chelsea’s games, I am well aware of its status and its extraordinary achievements over the years. My purpose of joining here is to win trophies. When communicating with the club, everyone is eager to return to the top and has the strength and lineup to achieve this goal. Continuing to win championships and leading the club to glory is our common goal.”