New Chelsea striker Liam Delap has opened up about the teammates he’s most excited to reunite with following his move from Ipswich Town to Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old forward, who officially became a Blue on June 4, has a long-standing connection with several members of Chelsea’s current squad — most notably Cole Palmer.

Speaking to Chelsea media following his arrival, Delap couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about rekindling his on-pitch relationship with Palmer.
“Cole is incredible in everything he does. I can’t wait to be in front of him again and receive his passes,” Delap said.

The pair have a shared history at Manchester City, where they starred together in the club’s U18s setup after Delap made the switch from Derby County in 2019. Their rise through the City ranks also saw them cross paths with coach Enzo Maresca, now Chelsea’s head coach, during the 2020/21 campaign.

“I spent a lot of time with them both at City. We grew up and played some incredible football together,” Delap explained. “I spoke to them about joining and I am excited to play alongside them again.”

It’s not just Palmer and Maresca who offer Delap a sense of familiarity. He also mentioned midfielder Romeo Lavia — another product of the Manchester City system — as one of the players he’s looking forward to reuniting with.

Additionally, the England youth international name-checked Levi Colwill, noting their numerous battles on the pitch as youngsters.
“I also know Levi Colwill a bit as we faced each other hundreds of times when we were growing up,” Delap added.

“It’s always nice to know people [when you join a new club], and I’ve spoken to a few of them and asked them for advice.”

With strong ties already formed in the dressing room, Delap believes this familiarity will ease his transition into the Chelsea squad.

“They’ve told me how great a place it is and I’m really excited to come and play alongside them,” he said.

As Delap prepares to wear the iconic No.9 shirt for the Blues, fans will be eager to see if his chemistry with Palmer and others from his City days can spark Chelsea’s attack in the coming season.