Chelsea are set to spark a fresh club-versus-country row as they prepare to ask Liam Delap to prioritise their Club World Cup campaign over representing England at the Under-21 European Championship this summer.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues, who recently activated Delap’s £30 million release clause at Ipswich Town, are keen for the striker to be available for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States on June 14. England U21s, meanwhile, open their Euros title defence against the Czech Republic on June 12.

Delap, 22, had been preparing with Lee Carsley’s squad for the tournament in Slovakia and was in contention to start England’s group-stage matches against Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Germany. However, should his move to Chelsea be finalised as expected, club sources believe a formal request will be made to release him from international duty.

The decision highlights the growing importance of the Club World Cup, especially with global stars like Lionel Messi set to take part. FIFA’s expanded format appears to carry more weight than it has in previous editions, reversing the long-standing precedent that favoured international fixtures at youth level.

Delap, who scored 12 goals in his debut Premier League season, has drawn interest from several top clubs including Manchester United. But the striker is eager to reunite with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, under whom he thrived at Manchester City’s academy.

A medical is reportedly scheduled for Monday, with only personal terms left to finalise before Delap becomes Chelsea’s latest signing in what promises to be a busy summer for the Blues.