Rising English striker Liam Delap has officially been assigned the number 9 jersey at Chelsea Football Club, a move that signals the club’s strong confidence in the young forward as preparations intensify for the upcoming Premier League season. The announcement was made through the club’s verified channels earlier today, sparking conversations among fans and analysts alike.
Delap, who previously came through the ranks at Manchester City before sealing a move to Stamford Bridge, is widely regarded as one of England’s most promising attacking prospects. At just 21 years of age, the son of former Premier League midfielder Rory Delap has already shown glimpses of his physical presence and goal-scoring instinct during loan spells, most recently with Hull City in the Championship.
The number 9 shirt at Chelsea carries a storied legacy—once worn by club legends and, more recently, associated with a string of strikers who struggled to make a lasting impact. By assigning the iconic number to Delap, Chelsea seem to be making a bold statement about the young forward’s role in the club’s future attacking plans.
Sources close to Stamford Bridge suggest that manager Enzo Maresca, who is familiar with Delap’s potential from their shared time in the City Football Group setup, views him as a long-term asset capable of leading the line in a new-look Chelsea squad. With the Blues undergoing a rebuild and focusing on youth development, Delap’s promotion to a more prominent squad number could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both player and club.
Nigerian football enthusiasts, many of whom follow the Premier League with great passion, will be watching closely to see if the young Englishman can rise to the expectations that come with the shirt once worn by the likes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Didier Drogba.
As the season draws closer, all eyes will be on Delap to see if he can break the so-called “number 9 curse” at Chelsea and cement his place in the club’s attack for years to come
