The step from the Championship up to the Premier League has seemingly proven too much for much of Ipswich Town’s squad, but Liam Delap has taken to this level with ease.
Despite playing for a team that has understandably struggled to furnish him with consistent chances — his 2.32 shots per 90 minutes ranks 39th in the division — he’s made the most of what he’s been given, scoring 10 goals and overperforming his xG by 1.8.
That he can do a lot with a little in front of goal is probably a good signal for Manchester United, whose lack of creativity or rhythm regularly leaves the forwards short of service. For context, Joshua Zirkzee (1.8 shots per 90 mins) and Rasmus Højlund (1.26 shots per 90 mins) make do with even less.
There’s also a bruising physicality to Delap — an ability to trample over defenders and nudge them off centre — that has led to him playing an important part in how Ipswich move the ball forward. From this perspective, his style looks a bit like that of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, whose style Rúben Amorim knows extremely well.
At 22, Delap is the right age profile for a United team clearly rebuilding, but when a guy playing for a relegation candidate is linked to a team which aspires to play possession-dominant football, you must ask if he can make the tactical transition required.
OTHER RUMORS
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Why loan signings Rashford and Asensio has worked out for Villa
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss the success of Aston Villa’s loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio this season.
– Two Premier League clubs are interested in Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze. Both Manchester United and Tottenham are reported to be keen on the 26-year-old and it is believed that an offer worth £60m would be required to land him. (TEAMtalk)
– Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are looking to sign Royale Union Saint-Gilloise forward Mohamed Amoura, who is on loan at VfL Wolfsburg, and could make a move at around €35m. (L’Equipe)
– Manchester City have spent £30.6m … on legal fees to fight the 115 charges brought by the Premier League for allegedly breaching financial rules. (Sun)
– City could lose midfielder Bernardo Silva, 30, this summer as he has wanted to leave the club for some time. (Football Insider)
– Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, 22, is on Newcastle’s radar ahead of the summer. (Sky Sports)
– The Carabao Cup winners are also planning a move to sign Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who has found game time hard to come by. (TEAMtalk)
– Roma defender Evan Ndicka has Arsenal, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest on his trail and his transfer would cost around €40m. (Caught Offside)
– Crystal Palace could let striker Jean-Philippe Mateta leave for Man United, then look to replace him with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. (TEAMtalk)
– Lille winger Edon Zhegrova won’t sign a new contract, so Barcelona are interested in doing a €30m deal this summer. (Sport)
– Saudi side Al Hilal are reluctant to let coach Jorge Jesus leave before his contract expires after this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. But he is considered one of the top candidates to take over Brazil’s national team. (Record)
