By Oluwamayowa Fakande
Former France and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has issued a strong warning to Liam Delap as the young striker inches closer to a summer move to Chelsea.
Delap, 22, is reportedly on the verge of joining the Stamford Bridge side, with sources suggesting he is eager to team up with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The forward impressed last season while on loan at Ipswich Town, drawing praise for his finishing and attacking presence.
However, Petit has urged caution, reminding the promising forward of the high expectations tied to Chelsea’s number nine shirt-a jersey many players have struggled to live up to.
“Delap has quality. I think he has done a great job at Ipswich, but it’s a huge step,” Petit told PokerStrategy.
“He has a really bright future, and I have respect for him, but going from Ipswich to Chelsea is huge in terms of expectation and pressure.
“That number nine position at Chelsea has been a curse for so many players. Chelsea need a striker who is going to score 25 goals a season. Will Delap give you that? I’m not so sure.”
The number nine shirt at Chelsea has famously weighed heavily on several former stars, and Delap will be hoping to rewrite the narrative if the move is finalized.
