Liam Delap: Everton staring down barrel of another striker mistake as £30m price tag set
Liam Delap could be yet another striker flop to emerge on Merseyside as Everton target a move for the Chelsea outcast.
The 23-year-old has experienced a very difficult first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring just one Premier League goal so far, and failing to live up to his £30million transfer fee.
It is becoming increasingly likely that the former Ipswich Town man leaves West London just 12 months after his arrival, with the Hill Dickinson Stadium reportedly a potential destination this summer.
Everton were linked with Delap in the summer of 2025, and while it would appear that the Toffees dodged a bullet, David Moyes' side are going back in for his signature, and for what reason, who knows.
Liam Delap is not the answer to Everton's striker problems
Football Insider understands that Everton would have to pay £30m for the frustrated centre-forward, with the Blues wanting to recoup the same fee they paid for him just 12 months prior.
Chelsea are already looking to replace him with Emanuel Emegha. Unsurprisingly, Joao Pedro is the first-choice striker, having bagged 22 goals in all competitions, and it is pushing Delap out of the exit doors.
However, the Toffees should have learned from the likes of Beto and Thierno Barry when searching for their next striker. Their performances this season should prove that going for Delap is a horrible idea.
| Liam Delap's 2025-26 Premier League | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 962 |
| Goals | Assists | 1 | 0 |
| Passing accuracy | 69.6% |
| Successful dribbles | 76.9% |
| Duels won | 41% |
| Fouls committed per 90 | 2.06 |
| Recoveries per 90 | 2.15 |
Despite his displays for Leeds United this season, some may even argue that Dominic Calvert-Lewin was an overall flop during his time on Merseyside, with Everton not having a proper striker since Romelu Lukaku.
Who could replace Beto or Thierno Barry instead?
One of the biggest rumours heading into the summer transfer window is that former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott is headed back to the Premier League.
The 24-year-old is loving life at AZ Alkmaar, notching 30 goals and nine assists in 45 games this season, including 12 goal contributions in the Europa Conference League.
Moyes' side have a very real chance of securing European football this term, and should that happen, it could be much easier to persuade talents such as Parrott to move to the Hill Dickinson.
It would certainly be a lot more exciting than a move for Delap, who continues to struggle under different managers in West London, and looks certain to leave following a disappointing first year there.