3 reasons why Liam Delap will choose Everton | OneFootball

Liam Delap has firmly entered the shop window following Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League, and there’s no better opportunity to showcase his talent than this weekend, potentially in front of one of his most interested suitors.

According to The i newspaper, Everton are seriously pursuing the England Under-21 striker, whose standout performances this season have made him a top target. However, the Toffees won’t have it easy, with a number of Premier League rivals also tracking the young forward.

With a reported £30 million release clause triggered by Ipswich’s drop to the Championship, interest is expected from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, and even the prospect of a return to Manchester City.

Here are three key reasons why a move to Merseyside could be the next step in Delap’s promising career.

Opportunity of being main striker

Everton appear to hold a strong hand in the race for Delap, with the promise of a guaranteed starting role at the beginning of next season offering a compelling alternative to interest from English football’s elite.

Delap's primary competition up front would likely come from Beto, who has managed just six goals this campaign, and Iliman Ndiaye, whose seven strikes have largely come from wide areas or as a secondary forward.

Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's ongoing injury struggles seem set to bring his time at Goodison Park to a close, further clearing the path for Delap, who wouldn't face stiff competition for minutes.

With 12 goals to his name this season, despite playing in a side short on creativity and wide-area threat, Delap has already outscored Everton's current forwards and shown the kind of clinical edge the Toffees have been missing.

Chance to lead a new era

Everton’s move to a new stadium, coupled with the arrival of new ownership, has sparked an initial upturn in fortunes. The return of David Moyes has only added to the optimism, with the Scottish manager reintroducing a winning mentality and a more progressive style of play.

Reinforcements in wide areas and central midfield are expected to further strengthen the squad, providing Moyes with the tools to restore Everton to the kind of form that once propelled them to European competition during his first tenure.

Excitement on Merseyside would undoubtedly reach fever pitch if Delap were to sign and start scoring at the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, potentially ushering in a new era of ambition for the Toffees.

Ready for his potential

Reports suggest that Manchester United and Chelsea are currently leading the race for the highly-rated England Under-21 striker, with both clubs seen as attractive destinations. However, Delap has yet to fully deliver on the potential required to lead the line for sides with consistent European ambitions.

His physical style of play hints at the ability to bully Premier League defenders, but serious questions remain about whether he’s ready to become the 20–25 goal-a-season striker those top clubs demand.

While this might not sit well with some, using Everton as a stepping stone may represent the most sensible route for Delap’s development. The pressure would be considerably lower in the blue half of Merseyside, where work ethic and attitude often resonate as strongly as the goal tallies.

It's a setting where patience is more readily afforded, something that may not be guaranteed at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, or the Emirates, where expectations are immediate and unforgiving, becoming a graveyard for the potential.