{"id":5897,"date":"2026-05-08T12:09:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5897"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:09:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:09:31","slug":"chelsea-tipped-to-sell-mouthy-player-back-to-his-former-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5897","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea tipped to sell &#8216;mouthy&#8217; player back to his former club"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_9\"><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Chelsea will be busy in the summer transfer window. Multiple players are expected to join, as well as depart.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-(18px) md:mt-0 mb-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">Chelsea will be busy in the summer transfer window. Multiple players are expected to join, as well as depart.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Liam Delap is one player facing uncertainty. The 23-year-old has flopped in his first season, in fact, his &pound;30 million move from Ipswich Town might go down as the club&#39;s worst-ever pieces of business.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">Liam Delap is one player facing uncertainty. The 23-year-old has flopped in his first season, in fact, his \u00a330 million move from Ipswich Town might go down as the club&#8217;s worst-ever pieces of business.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=71 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Despite suffering an injury early in the campaign, the forward has scored just one goal in the Premier League since &mdash; awful numbers from a player expected to lead the line week in, week out.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=72 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">Despite suffering an injury early in the campaign, the forward has scored just one goal in the Premier League since \u2014 awful numbers from a player expected to lead the line week in, week out.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=74 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>It is no surprise speculation his first season at Stamford Bridge will be his last is mounting, and Alan Smith has been the latest pundit to offer up his thoughts.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">It is no surprise speculation his first season at Stamford Bridge will be his last is mounting, and Alan Smith has been the latest pundit to offer up his thoughts.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=77 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Alan Smith wonders if Ipswich will re-sign Liam Delap<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Alan Smith wonders if Ipswich will re-sign Liam Delap<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Smith, who spoke to Best Betting Sites, as quoted by the Metro, is expecting the Blues to cut their losses in the summer and has even suggested a move back to Portman Road could be on the cards for Delap.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Smith, who spoke to Best Betting Sites, as quoted by the Metro, is expecting the Blues to cut their losses in the summer and has even suggested a move back to Portman Road could be on the cards for Delap.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7d q:key=vcaa:Well, it&rsquo;s certainly not worked for him at Chelsea. It&rsquo;s not been easy circumstances at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The club has been in turmoil, really. He doesn&rsquo;t look like a Chelsea player. He&rsquo;s got some rough edges there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether they could be knocked off, I don&rsquo;t know. But he suited Ipswich a bit better. I still think he could join a mid to maybe a European challenging team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I think sometimes he gets too involved in the physical side of things, and he&rsquo;s a little bit mouthy as well. He got booked again the other day for dissent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe that&rsquo;s a bit of frustration showing, but he would regard it as a failure, I&rsquo;m sure, to go back to Ipswich. But who knows?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think Chelsea might think they can get him out and get somebody else in.--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=0J2M:mL_1--><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"border-lightGrey my-f-1\" q:key=\"qi_3\">\n<div class=\"italic text-black text-center font-group-large\">&#8220;Well, it\u2019s certainly not worked for him at Chelsea. It\u2019s not been easy circumstances at all.<\/p>\n<p>The club has been in turmoil, really. He doesn\u2019t look like a Chelsea player. He\u2019s got some rough edges there.<\/p>\n<p>Whether they could be knocked off, I don\u2019t know. But he suited Ipswich a bit better. I still think he could join a mid to maybe a European challenging team.<\/p>\n<p>But I think sometimes he gets too involved in the physical side of things, and he\u2019s a little bit mouthy as well. He got booked again the other day for dissent.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe that\u2019s a bit of frustration showing, but he would regard it as a failure, I\u2019m sure, to go back to Ipswich. But who knows?<\/p>\n<p>I think Chelsea might think they can get him out and get somebody else in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7f q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>During his only season with Ipswich, Delap scored 12 goals in 40 games in all competitions. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7g q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7h\">During his only season with Ipswich, Delap scored 12 goals in 40 games in all competitions. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7i q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The striker was certainly a popular figure in Suffolk, and following the side&#39;s recently confirmed promotion back to the Premier League, may be in line for a surprise return.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7j q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7k\">The striker was certainly a popular figure in Suffolk, and following the side&#8217;s recently confirmed promotion back to the Premier League, may be in line for a surprise return.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7l q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>A move elsewhere in everyone&#39;s best interests<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7m q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7n\">A move elsewhere in everyone&#8217;s best interests<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7o q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Sadly for Delap, the expectations at Chelsea have proven too much for him. He clearly lacks what&#39;s required to be the Blues&#39; focal point.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7p q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7q\">Sadly for Delap, the expectations at Chelsea have proven too much for him. He clearly lacks what&#8217;s required to be the Blues&#8217; focal point.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7r q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>He&#39;s still young, though, so has plenty of time to reinvent himself elsewhere before attempting to make the step up again.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7s q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7t\">He&#8217;s still young, though, so has plenty of time to reinvent himself elsewhere before attempting to make the step up again.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7u q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>While Delap may not want to leave Chelsea, the possibility of returning to Ipswich is not a bad shout from Smith.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7v q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7w\">While Delap may not want to leave Chelsea, the possibility of returning to Ipswich is not a bad shout from Smith.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7x q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Fans could definitely see the 23-year-old back at his former club. He&#39;s already proven he&#39;s too good for the Championship and that&#39;s why continuing in the Premier League but without the same pressure may be the best solution.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7y q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7z\">Fans could definitely see the 23-year-old back at his former club. He&#8217;s already proven he&#8217;s too good for the Championship and that&#8217;s why continuing in the Premier League but without the same pressure may be the best solution.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=80 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>If Chelsea can recoup anything, it will be a bonus. But one thing is for sure, a proven striker <em>must<\/em> be brought in in the summer and BlueCo cannot afford to get this one wrong.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=81 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"82\">If Chelsea can recoup anything, it will be a bonus. But one thing is for sure, a proven striker <em>must<\/em> be brought in in the summer and BlueCo cannot afford to get this one wrong.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=83 q:key=1jXG:QW_7--><!--qv q:id=84 q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-PR6RmUkK.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc(0 1)\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"85\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=84 q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-(#F0F0F0)\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-(16px)\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"hidden pt-(1px) leading-(1.4) md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-(12px) w-(6px) md:h-(8px) md:w-(4px)\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea will be busy in the summer transfer window. Multiple players are expected to join,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5898,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}