YOUNG STRIKER DELAP IS LINKED WITH MOVE TO SPANISH GIANTS
IT might put Stoke City fans’ demands to sign Liam Delap on loan into context to see the 18-year-old striker being linked with Real Madrid.
Delap, son of Stoke hero and coach Rory Delap, has been in incredible form for Manchester City’s youth sides since joining from Derby County two years ago. This season he has scored 20 times in 15 Premier League 2 appearances and he was handed a first-team debut by Pep Guardiola in September.
The door appears to be opening for him at the Etihad with the imminent departure of Sergio Aguero but the Daily Star reports that the Madrid could try to prise him away. Scouts have apparently been as impressed by everyone else, even if his contract doesn’t expire until 2023. The Manchester Evening News adds: “While Los Blancos have reportedly made contact with his representatives to declare an interest, It’s worth noting that Delap moving away from the Etihad is highly unlikely as he is held in extremely high regard by the Blues.”
Liam Delap has his dad’s distinctive running style, albeit with a bit more pace. He has the aggression too, as well as skill and power and intelligence. “(Aggression) always been a part of my game. I need it in my game,” he said in an interview with the Manchester Evening News. “When I’m on that edge it’s when I’m at my best, it’s just not tipping over that edge and everyone has told me that they’d never want to take it out of me, it’s just controlling that final tipping point of what is acceptable and what’s not.
“You can’t really teach it, it’s just something I have and I’m so grateful that I’ve got it but it’s just now working a mechanism that I can control it to keep myself on the pitch. I’ve got a lot better. I was a lot worse when I was younger so it’s maturing and understanding what’s right.”
But he has not, however, been called upon for a long throw.
“I think he was put off when he was about an under-10!” laughed Delap Sr. “One of the parents shouted that he was ruining the game when he took a throw and he hasn’t taken one since. I don’t think that will be part of his game.”
He added in an interview earlier this year: “I started in a similar position but I didn’t have his pace or power and it took me a few more chances to put the ball in the back of the net! “He’s enjoying it and that’s all I’m bothered about. I’ve never pushed him into it but he’s a good lad and if he keeps his head down and works hard, he’ll have a chance in the game.”