Chelsea Striker Liam Delap Attracts Interest from Como

The expectation around Chelsea on Thursday was simple: all eyes on Enzo Fernandez and his heavily trailed switch to Man City. That was supposed to be the story of the day.

Instead, a different name cut through the noise.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that Como have made an initial approach for Liam Delap, opening the door to a possible exit for a striker whose Chelsea career has stalled almost as soon as it began.

Como return to Chelsea market

Como know their way around Stamford Bridge. Fresh from sealing a deal for Trevoh Chalobah, the ambitious Serie A side have gone back to Chelsea, this time for Delap.

The forward, who arrived only last summer after his spell at Ipswich, endured a miserable first season in blue. One year in, it already feels like a parting of ways would suit everyone. His value has dipped, his opportunities look limited, and his contract still has plenty of time left to run.

Romano reports that Delap is “high on the shortlist” for Cesc Fabregas’ team, with an initial enquiry already lodged. With roughly two weeks remaining in the window and Como still hunting a centre-forward, the timing is no accident. They need a striker. Delap needs a reset.

Permanent sale or loan puzzle

The structure of any deal remains unclear. There is no concrete mention yet of a loan, a detail that matters for Chelsea given the restrictions on foreign loan slots.

A temporary move would preserve Chelsea’s long-term control over the player, but it would also occupy one of those valuable places at a time when his stock is described as being at “rock bottom.” A permanent transfer, on the other hand, could draw a firm line under a move that never really got going.

For now, what is certain is this: Como have made their move, Delap has serious interest on the continent, and a Chelsea exit that once looked unlikely at the start of the summer suddenly feels very real.