Celtic should be keeping close tabs on Liam Delap’s Chelsea situation. If it is even slightly open, they should be ambitious enough to ask the question.
Delap’s position at Chelsea now looks interesting enough for Celtic to treat as an opportunity worth testing, especially when the Hoops will be prioritising adding some extra firepower to their side this summer.
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Liam Delap’s Chelsea situation should have Celtic interested
Reports say that Delap wants to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place, while the same source says Chelsea have looked at options for him and presented Strasbourg as a possible route.
That matters because Celtic should not view a player being pointed towards Strasbourg as out of reach. They should see it as proof that a development pathway is being discussed.
If Chelsea are weighing up what comes next for Delap, Celtic can make a strong football case. They offer pressure, expectation, European ambition and a support that does not allow centre-forwards to drift through games.
A loan would work for Celtic, Chelsea and Delap
Celtic’s own numbers show why the idea makes sense. The Bhoys have already played 54 games this season, and that kind of schedule demands proper depth through the middle.
Benjamin Nygren is listed as the top scorer on 20 goals, while the recognised centre-forwards sit well below that mark. That does not mean Celtic lack attacking quality, but it does show why another powerful striker would have clear value.
For Chelsea, a loan would keep Delap attached to the club while giving him football in a demanding environment. As for the 23-year-old, it would offer a chance to lead the line for a prestigious club, as well as prove he can score goals.
Celtic do not need to pretend this would be easy. Wages, Premier League suspicions about the quality of Scottish football and waiting to see who the new manager will be at both Chelsea and the Hoops all come into play.
However, when big names like Wayne Rooney have once dreamed of playing at Parkhead, the allure is hard to ignore.
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