Ipswich Town’s Rising Star: Liam Delap Compared to £65m Premier League Striker

Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League has been challenging, but one bright spot has been the performance of summer signing Liam Delap. The 21-year-old striker, who joined from Manchester City for £20m, is already being compared to established Premier League forwards.

Delap has made an immediate impact, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist in 16 league appearances so far this season. His goal involvement rate of one every 2.28 games is impressive for a young player adjusting to the top flight.

Statistical analysis from FBref shows striking similarities between Delap and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke across several key metrics:

– Non-penalty goals + assists per 90: Both 0.53
– Progressive carries per 90: Delap 1.89, Solanke 1.56
– Goals per shot: Delap 0.21, Solanke 0.16
– Successful take-ons per 90: Delap 1.29, Solanke 1.09

The comparison to Solanke is particularly noteworthy given the £65m fee Tottenham paid for the striker this summer. While Delap’s current value doesn’t match that figure, his trajectory suggests he could reach or exceed that valuation if he continues his strong form.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna will be hoping Delap can maintain his goalscoring touch to help the club avoid relegation. Regardless of this season’s outcome, it appears the Tractor Boys have unearthed a potential superstar who could be central to their future plans or command a significant transfer fee.

As one pundit put it, Delap looks destined for “the very top” of the game. Ipswich fans will be excited to watch his development in the coming months and years as he aims to fulfill that lofty potential.