Chelsea’s move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has sparked concern from former Premier League star Emmanuel Petit, who believes the 22-year-old may struggle to fill the club’s long-standing void up front.

Fresh off a season that saw the Blues secure Champions League football and lift the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea are pressing ahead with transfer business — including nearing the completion of Delap’s £30 million switch from Ipswich after triggering his release clause.

Delap impressed in a struggling Ipswich side last season, scoring 12 goals in 40 appearances and earning plaudits for his physicality, movement and finishing instinct. But for Petit, the leap from a relegated side to leading the line at Stamford Bridge is a “huge step.”

“Liam Delap has quality, I think he has done a great job at Ipswich, but it’s a huge step,” Petit told PokerStrategy. “He has a really bright future and I have respect for him, but going from Ipswich to Chelsea is huge in terms of expectation and pressure.”

Petit also warned of the weight that comes with Chelsea’s number nine shirt — a position that has famously burdened a long list of strikers in recent years, from Alvaro Morata and Timo Werner to Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“That number nine position at Chelsea has been a curse for so many players,” he added. “Chelsea need a striker who is going to score 25 goals a season. Will Delap give you that? I’m not so sure.”

While Delap is expected to add depth and energy to Chelsea’s frontline alongside Nicolas Jackson, Petit’s comments underscore the need for the Blues to potentially bring in another proven goal-scorer if they are to challenge on all fronts next season.