Headline: Chelsea Striker Liam Delap Loses Number Nine Shirt, Joins Separate Training Group
Chelsea striker Liam Delap has officially relinquished his number nine shirt at the club and is now among several players training away from the main squad. This shift comes as the transfer window approaches its deadline on September 1, with Delap, along with fellow forward Nicolas Jackson and winger Mykhailo Mudryk, participating in a secondary training group at Cobham.
Club sources clarify that this situation differs significantly from the “bomb squad” scenario seen last season, where multiple players found themselves sidelined.
As Chelsea looks to trim its squad, the club is reportedly seeking £50 million for Delap, aiming to streamline its roster of 40 senior players ahead of the transfer window’s closure. Delap joined the club for £30 million from Ipswich Town last summer but only managed to score once in 28 Premier League appearances, with 16 of those coming as a substitute.
The number nine shirt, previously worn by Delap, has now been assigned to fellow forward Joao Pedro.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap has lost the number nine shirt at the club and is one of several players now training separately to the main squad.
A number of players who could move before the transfer window closes on 1 September – including fellow forward Nicolas Jackson and winger Mykhailo Mudryk – are in a second training group at Cobham.
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But club sources insist it is nothing like the “bomb squad” approach taken last season when several players were frozen out.
Chelsea are seeking £50 million for Delap and trying to reduce the size of their squad before the end of the summer transfer window, with 40 senior players on their books.
Englishman Delap joined the club in a £30m move from Ipswich Town last summer but only scored one Premier League goal in 28 Premier League appearances, 16 of which were as a substitute.
He was awarded the number nine shirt, but that has now gone to fellow forward Joao Pedro.
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