Chelsea’s new striker Liam Delap is not bothered by the superstitious belief that the Blues’ number nine shirt is cursed, insisting it’s “just a number” that doesn’t mean much to him anyway.
Delap was hugely impressive in last season’s Premier League campaign despite being part of a struggling Ipswich Town side that eventually suffered immediate relegation back to the EFL Championship.
Following his eye-catching displays, Delap was one of the most sought-after young strikers in England as the likes of Everton, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest all expressed interest in his services.
However, the 22-year-old striker opted to take his talents to London, signing for the Blues after they triggered his £30 million release clause.
In his first Chelsea appearance at the ongoing Club World Cup, Delap wore the rumoured ‘cursed’ number nine shirt. Big names like Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku have struggled in that shirt in recent years but Delap has downplayed the speculations.
“No, I’m not that type of person. It’s something that people speculate about but it doesn’t mean anything to me,” he said.
“It’s something that’s related to strikers so I chose it. At the end of the day it’s a number on the back of your shirt.
“To me, it doesn’t really mean a lot, it’s just a number. Number 9 has always been related to strikers so it’s something that I like but there’s no pressure.”
Delap grabbed an assist in his first appearance against Los Angeles FC at the Club World Cup and the Manchester City academy graduate has been backed by his manager Enzo Maresca to become England’s first-choice striker in the future.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
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