Liam Delap grabbed the headlines when he netted a brace for Ipswich Town in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday at Portman Road.
The former Manchester City youth player has been a revelation for the Premier League newcomers, scoring three of their five Premier League goals.
Born to retired throw-in specialist Rory Delap, the 21-year-old started his career at Derby County before moving to Manchester City in 2019.
He was one of the standout players in the Citizens’ Academy and was handed his debut in a Carabao Cup fixture against AFC Bournemouth in September 2020 and he got the attention of Pep Guardiola on his debut.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola revealed that Delap would stay with the first team due to injuries to key players
“With the situation we have right now, we have just 13 players, so we need players from the academy,” said the city boss.
“With the problems we have up front, he will stay with us. We will use him.
“We congratulate the academy. I am the last step, but before there are a lot of people in the club working for this and it is a big success for them.
“Jason Wilcox is the academy boss who helps us have these players,” he told Man City’s official website
Delap was promoted to Manchester City’s first team permanently in the 2021/2022 campaign but made one appearance apiece in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.
He joined Stoke City, the following campaign but was recalled in January to join Preston North End till the end of the season.
At the start of the 2023/2024 season, he joined Hull City on loan, and he made 31 appearances in the English Championship, scoring eight goals.
Ipswich grabbed his signature in the summer, ending his five-year stay with Manchester City. He is one of the standout players for Kieran McKenna’s young side.
Delap is mainly a central forward but can also play as either a right or left winger and a right midfielder, making him a precious asset.
His biggest strength is his ability to dribble past opponents, completing 0.78 dribbles per 90 this season, and he also has a big aerial presence, winning 0.98 aerial duels per 90, per Fotmob.
Besides his dribbling and aerial prowess, he likes to shoot from a distance, plays long balls and cuts inside.
Still 21, he is not without weaknesses as he likes to hold on to the ball extremely, and his passing accuracy is considered not good enough, according to Whoscored.com.
Delap is certainly one of the players to watch in the Premier League this season, and if he can continue his goalscoring form, it will only be a matter of time before he leaves Ipswich.
