Chelsea’s Liam Delap has two goals in 41 games, so what next for the striker?

This is his first season ChelseaLiam Delap scored just one goal in the Premier League – two in 41 games in all competitions – and ended the campaign on a 26-game goal drought.

A year ago, when the striker arrived at Stamford Bridge, he spoke of his ambition to make England’s World Cup squad this summer. Obviously, it didn’t go to plan.

Things have eased up for the England Under-21 international, who has been injured and spent a lot of time on the bench, but his goalscoring numbers remain astonishing as he scored 12 for an Ipswich Town side that were relegated earlier in the season.

Chelsea Who won the race and triggered Delap’s £30m release clause despite strong interest Manchester United, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Everton Last May.

So what’s next? Delap remains committed and wants at least one more season to prove his doubters wrong.

The 23-year-old’s commitment is reflected in his decision to buy a house locally, while his coaches – Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenier and most recently Callum McFarlane – have all highlighted his work rate behind the scenes.

Delap’s biggest problem is Joao Pedro, who arrived in a £55m move last summer Brighton And was arguably the standout forward among those signed by the major English clubs Manchester United, Arsenal And Newcastle Getting stronger in that area.

Unlike Delap, Pedro is currently part of a group of ‘untouchable’ players at Stamford Bridge, along with Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Cacedo.

It doesn’t mean this Chelsea Delap is actively looking to sell but his relatively low transfer fee would make it easier for him to move on. The club’s failure to qualify for European competition meant fewer matches, making it difficult to field a large squad.

Nicholas Jackson is also set to finish his loan spell at Bayern Munich and, no longer troubled by his previously frosty relationship with former manager Maresca, could return to the Blues despite interest from Premier League and foreign clubs.

Striker Emmanuel Emegha has also agreed to join Chelsea Last summer from partner club Strasbourg on a permanent basis, he is expected to join the squad in 2026.

It could be a tricky situation, with new manager Xabi Alonso’s input crucial when he takes over on July 1.