Kieran McKenna’s past Liam Delap comments can open the door to Fulham reunion

Kieran McKenna is the favourite to replace Marco Silva as Fulham manager, and he may look to reunite with Liam Delap this summer.

According to talkSPORT, McKenna is "increasingly likely" to leave Ipswich this summer, and he is expected to now move to Fulham.

Following Silva's departure from Craven Cottage, Fulham have revealed that striker Raul Jimenez will also be leaving at the expiry of his contract.

That leaves Fulham with only Rodrigo Muniz as a recognised number nine in their squad, but Delap could favour a move if McKenna is appointed their new manager.

Delap worked under McKenna at Ipswich before the 23-year-old made a £30million move to Chelsea last summer.

However, Delap's time at Chelsea has not worked out, and the Blues are already open to letting him leave this summer.

What has Kieran McKenna said about Liam Delap?

McKenna highly praised Delap during their time together at Portman Road, with the striker scoring 12 goals for Ipswich during their last Premier League campaign.

Following a 2-0 win over Chelsea in December 2024, McKenna praised Delap's development, calling him a "different beast" to the player he had signed in July, he told BBC Sport.

After an omission from the England squad in March 2025, McKenna said about Delap: "He's made fantastic progress, put in some outstanding performances and there's still a lot to come."

McKenna could be keen to reignite Delap's career, if he becomes Fulham's next manager, whilst Everton's former chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, believes that the Toffees' interest has cooled.

Liam Delap has options to leave Chelsea

Delap rejected the chance to join Everton last summer in favour of a move to Chelsea, which he may now be regretting.

There has also been reported interest from Newcastle in Delap, but having now settled in west London, a short move to Fulham may make sense.

Like at Ipswich, Delap would be one of the club's key players, and would be guaranteed game time.

McKenna would need to add goals to the squad, with Fulham remaining concerned about losing top scorer Harry Wilson at the end of the month.