22 minutes ago, ducavis said:

Why would he come here to compete for a starting role when he can go to a mid table club as a guaranteed starter. Tuchel’s comments about him staying in the league and playing regularly backs up the claim he will be moving to any club that guarantees him a starting role.

Trust me if it ends up him and Jackson here it won't take long for him to be guaranteed a starting role.

9 hours ago, DukesOfHazard said:

I think we’ll be in for him and one of the more experienced strikers, with Jackson being sold.

I’d be more than happy with this and perhaps a decent loan for Guiu.

This could be the start of a new ME2 movement... 🙂

Any combination that gets rid of jackson - wtf we bought a player like that with the obvious mental/mentality issues he's got.

Edited May 28, 20251 yr by Bebe1980

While Delap may already be a good player, I'm not sure he'd be huge upgrade over Jackson to be honest.
I can totally see Jackson making a big impact playing for a club like Ipswich, especially considering his pace for counters. It's just too different to play lead striker for a smaller club, so this feels like a bit of a (yet another) gamble.

I think at the price it’s a great deal for most clubs.

If it ends up him and Jackson as our main forwards, it doesn’t inspire. However if it allows us to go and get a genuine top level winger (Nico Williams rather than Garnacho) then I wouldn’t mind it.

Personally I really want us juts to go all out and get Osimhen, he’d be the best fit given the dozens of crosses we put in

Edited May 28, 20251 yr by Adamrb

I think the lure in Delap is the holy Trinity of: Young age - Potential - Surprisingly low transfer fee.

I think clubs see him as a no brainer. He can be sold most probably at the same fee no matter how he does.

He is like half-off Haaland. Half the skill/potential but half price. Haaland at Dortmund was a massive bargain for City. Steal of the century if you will.

If you are Delap you have to think whether it is the best option for you or just cash in early and go to a big club immediately. Personally I think MU is a massive gamble. That club eats potential for breakfast. Chelsea is also a risk. Jackson isn't willing to give up his role without a fight. And our coaching situation is always volatile to say the least.

If I was him I'd look for a next step like West Ham or Aston Villa. Sort of lower expectations and a good environment with a good coach.

Just as an investment with great potential to be a great striker I think is why we are looking to buy him. For sure he is not the solution for our immediate striking problems.

The problem for me is not Delap. I actually like him. He got some power and some sh*thousery that I think the team could benefit from.

The problem is that he dosen't move Chelsea right now. We've plenty of players that could end up worldclass, but no one to take them there.

The midfield and wings need someone that can convert NOW and lift their level. Jackson need someone that can push and teach him.

I like Delap but I'd only want him if we signed another striker like Osimhen/Gyokeres and got rid of Jackson.

3 hours ago, BikerJens said:

The problem for me is not Delap. I actually like him. He got some power and some sh*thousery that I think the team could benefit from.

The problem is that he dosen't move Chelsea right now. We've plenty of players that could end up worldclass, but no one to take them there.

The midfield and wings need someone that can convert NOW and lift their level. Jackson need someone that can push and teach him.

Delap overperformed his xG. He's at 11.9 xG with a total of 12 goals. This is all while playing for a club that ranks 18th in chances created (279) and 18th in big chances created (46)

It does give some indication that Delap receives very few chances, but he's typically very clinical. Below is us in comparison. So it does give a lot of optimism that he'd do significantly better than Jackson.

Chelsea ranks 3rd in chances created (454) and ranks 2nd in big chances created (93).

4 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Delap overperformed his xG. He's at 11.9 xG with a total of 12 goals. This is all while playing for a club that ranks 18th in chances created (279) and 18th in big chances created (46)

It does give some indication that Delap receives very few chances, but he's typically very clinical. Below is us in comparison. So it does give a lot of optimism that he'd do significantly better than Jackson.

Chelsea ranks 3rd in chances created (454) and ranks 2nd in big chances created (93).

Well, I don't hate the idea about Delap. But I still don't think he would move Chelsea into title-challenger category.

Do you have stats on how many of those chances that Jackson created? Or if we create more chances with Jackson on the field, than without? I'm curious because I think that people is underestimating how much he is involved in creating chances and helping open up the game.

I get that he can't finish even if his life depended on it and that is the main task for a striker. I just can be afraid that it will just move the problem if it's only a matter of getting a better finisher.

3 minutes ago, BikerJens said:

Well, I don't hate the idea about Delap. But I still don't think he would move Chelsea into title-challenger category.

Do you have stats on how many of those chances that Jackson created? Or if we create more chances with Jackson on the field, than without? I'm curious because I think that people is underestimating how much he is involved in creating chances and helping open up the game.

I get that he can't finish even if his life depended on it and that is the main task for a striker. I just can be afraid that it will just move the problem if it's only a matter of getting a better finisher.

The bold is a great point, but its been alluded to by a lot of people on this forum that Delap plays a similar way to Jackson. Drags defenders by dropping deep, likes to dribble in transition and can turn a defender pretty well. These are aspects in a strikers game that allows other attacking players to find space, thus creating more attacking opportunities.

On a price for value standpoint, Delap is genuinly clear of everyone else not named Gyokeres.

I know many feel that Delap is similar to Jackson and neither are "prolific", but if I had the option to swap Delap for Jackson right now, I would bite your arm off.

I feel Delap has a lot more promise. He's more physical, will bully defenders more, better in the air and he won't sulk! I just feel he would link up really well with palmer too. No good having both, but would have Delap plus one other striker.

Any striker that comes in has to be better than Jackson. We don't need a back up.

Data and eye test suggests Delap WOULD be better, and certainly preferable to others like Ekitike and Emegha, both of whom have much worse performance against xG than Nico !

Optimal striker options for me would be Osimhen plus Delap plus Guiu with Jackson ether reclassified as a left winger or sold.

I like the idea of Delap as he should be on the same wavelength as Palmer (in particular) and Lavia from their City days, plus he is also a known quantity to our manager of course.

Edited May 28, 20251 yr by Sexyfootball

I love Delap and I really hope we sign him.

I won’t be too mad if we end up with only him and Jackson for next season, especially if it means we sign an elite young player such as Nico Williams.

Whatever happens I’ll be really happy if he joins us.

22 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Any striker that comes in has to be better than Jackson. We don't need a back up.

Data and eye test suggests Delap WOULD be better, and certainly preferable to others like Ekitike and Emegha, both of whom have much worse performance against xG than Nico !

Optimal striker options for me would be Osimhen plus Delap plus Guiu with Jackson ether reclassified as a left winger or sold.

I like the idea of Delap as he should be on the same wavelength as Palmer (in particular) and Lavia from their City days, plus he is also a known quantity to our manager of course.

Can already picture his attitude when being subbed off or rotated for Delap.

Osimhen and Gyokeres are the type of strikers who would demand playing 99% of the matches. If we were to get either of them, it would have to be Guiu as the backup.

Edited May 28, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue

2 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Can already picture his attitude when being subbed off or rotated for Delap.

Osimhen and Gyokeres are the type of strikers who would demand playing 99% of the matches. If we were to get either of them, it would have to be Guiu as the backup.

Top sides have to rotate regularly while playing twice a week due to involvement in CL and three domestic competitions. No striker will be able to play all of those matches, especially if we go deep in cup competitions. Tiredness and injuries will be impossible to avoid.

Not to mention, you need competition for places for players to improve, stay focused, consistent and try their absolute best in every match. If you want to see what happens when someone knows he's got nobody to compete with for a starting place, this season's Nico Jackson is a great example.

23 minutes ago, abramovich said:

Top sides have to rotate regularly while playing twice a week due to involvement in CL and three domestic competitions. No striker will be able to play all of those matches, especially if we go deep in cup competitions. Tiredness and injuries will be impossible to avoid.

Not to mention, you need competition for places for players to improve, stay focused, consistent and try their absolute best in every match. If you want to see what happens when someone knows he's got nobody to compete with for a starting place, this season's Nico Jackson is a great example.

How often do Liverpool rotate Salah? Or Real with Vinicius? City with Haaland? (biggest reason why Alvarez left)

Marquee players/signings in their peak will demand playing time across the board.

20 minutes ago, abramovich said:

Top sides have to rotate regularly while playing twice a week due to involvement in CL and three domestic competitions. No striker will be able to play all of those matches, especially if we go deep in cup competitions. Tiredness and injuries will be impossible to avoid.

Not to mention, you need competition for places for players to improve, stay focused, consistent and try their absolute best in every match. If you want to see what happens when someone knows he's got nobody to compete with for a starting place, this season's Nico Jackson is a great example.

What top clubs rotate strikers though? It just doesn’t happen. If Halaand is fit he starts 9/10 times, same with Mbappe. The rotation option only starts getting games towards the end of the season when the games pile up. Mbappe and Isak started 34/38 games, Halaand started 31/38.

You stick Jackson on the bench he will sulk that is certain. Won’t put it past him to phone his performances like Nkunku or might even refuse to come on.

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

How often do Liverpool rotate Salah? Or Real with Vinicius? City with Haaland? (biggest reason why Alvarez left)

Marquee players/signings in their peak will demand playing time across the board.

Thank you! None of the CF options on the market are moving teams to compete. They will only move as guaranteed starters. Didn’t Sesko make it a prerequisite last season that he needed to be a starter, and wanted CL football. He declined a move to Arsenal last season because of Havertz.

3 minutes ago, ducavis said:

What top clubs rotate strikers though? It just doesn’t happen. If Halaand is fit he starts 9/10 times, same with Mbappe. The rotation option only starts getting games towards the end of the season when the games pile up. Mbappe and Isak started 34/38 games, Halaand started 31/38.

You stick Jackson on the bench he will sulk that is certain. Won’t put it past him to phone his performances like Nkunku or might even refuse to come on.

Well, some players are more durable than others. Plus, these are stats for the league games, and you need to add CL, League Cup, FA Cup and national team appearances to get the full picture.

Plus, what happens if/when your marquee player gets injured or suspended?

10 hours ago, evissy said:

I think the lure in Delap is the holy Trinity of: Young age - Potential - Surprisingly low transfer fee.

I think clubs see him as a no brainer. He can be sold most probably at the same fee no matter how he does.

He is like half-off Haaland. Half the skill/potential but half price. Haaland at Dortmund was a massive bargain for City. Steal of the century if you will.

If you are Delap you have to think whether it is the best option for you or just cash in early and go to a big club immediately. Personally I think MU is a massive gamble. That club eats potential for breakfast. Chelsea is also a risk. Jackson isn't willing to give up his role without a fight. And our coaching situation is always volatile to say the least.

If I was him I'd look for a next step like West Ham or Aston Villa. Sort of lower expectations and a good environment with a good coach.

Just as an investment with great potential to be a great striker I think is why we are looking to buy him. For sure he is not the solution for our immediate striking problems.

Re Haaland you're missing the real kicker of the deal. As regards the fee you are right that it was a bargain for city, but let's not forget that he went there on almost half a million a week salary, locked in. The makers out of that deal was Haaland and his agent.

4 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Re Haaland you're missing the real kicker of the deal. As regards the fee you are right that it was a bargain for city, but let's not forget that he went there on almost half a million a week salary, locked in. The makers out of that deal was Haaland and his agent.

Yes that is true. But he's been up for the salary don't you think? And will continue to be so.

16 minutes ago, evissy said:

Yes that is true. But he's been up for the salary don't you think? And will continue to be so.

True, it's just something that irritates me the way clubs like Man City get a pass on things like this. We get hammered for the money spent, or the we ain't got no history buying the league rubbish. Pep the purist comes in, doesn't like his defence and spends a quarter of a billion replacing them in one go. This when a quarter of a billion was a lot of money! The Haaland deal is another case in point. They are paying the guy £25m a year base salary.

LETS GO

A major coup if we pull this off, I genuinely believe he’s going to be an elite striker

23 hours ago, ducavis said:

Why would he come here to compete for a starting role when he can go to a mid table club as a guaranteed starter. Tuchel’s comments about him staying in the league and playing regularly backs up the claim he will be moving to any club that guarantees him a starting role.

Whether it’s Jackson or another striker, Delap will be competing with someone for the starting spot. He wants Europe so can’t see it being Utd or Everton and Newcastle who are reported to have put their project forward have Isak. I’d also add that there does appear to be something about “the project” that’s drawing in these young talents. Estavoa is almost a bit of a coup.