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Liam Delap has endured an underwhelming debut season at Stamford Bridge but the Chelsea striker is set to be given a chance to kickstart his campaign this weekend
Over the course of February, Liam Delap's name came up plenty in Liam Rosenior's press conferences. The 23-year-old striker, signed for £30million last summer, has often been criticised in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, with the Chelsea forward struggling when it comes to his return in front of goal.
Rosenior, predictably but equally admirably, defended Delap. Asked whether it is possible to be a good striker without scoring many goals, Rosenior replied: "100%. That's the first thing I look for in my strikers - I look for people who contribute to the team winning games of football.
"All strikers want to score goals, of course, that's why they play the game. That's what they love to do, but there's a lot more.
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"You need 11 attackers, you need 11 defenders at all times. Liam defends from the front amazingly well. So does Joao [Pedro]. They contribute to what has been a good record for us recently - and it has to continue."
Continue it did not, unfortunately, and that brings those who are not performing well into the spotlight. While Rosenior believes Delap is impressive in other areas, his lack of goals should be a real concern for Chelsea, who had high hopes for the former Ipswich Town striker when he joined last summer.
Delap has scored just twice in all competitions for the Blues. In 1254 minutes of action, the striker averages a goal every 627 minutes. In fairness to Delap, though, the setup, system, style - whatever you want to call it - has not helped his chances.
The centre-forward is a striker who loves to get stuck in with his opposite number whenever the opportunity arises, but Chelsea's possession-based style has seen Delap rarely be able to use his physical prowess to any use.
Too often Delap looks isolated up top for Chelsea. Those around him do not know how to get the best out of him and vice-versa.
It has led, inevitably, to speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge, even though he has been with the club for less than 12 months. Newcastle United are reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation, which is no surprise given the Magpies were one of numerous clubs in for Delap before he chose Chelsea.
You would expect Delap to start Saturday evening's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. Not only is it League One opposition at home, the level of game a second-choice No.9 should be starting, but also Joao Pedro has been spending time with Brazil as they warm up for this summer's World Cup, while Delap has been working closely with Rosenior and staff at Cobham.
Delap desperately needs to take his chance this weekend - he needs to score at least one goal for his own sake. This is the last cup tie you would assume Delap will start, because if Chelsea win, a date to Wembley beckons and Joao Pedro, Rosenior's go-to striker, would likely start.
For Delap to have any chance of forcing his way into the team over his teammate/rival, Saturday evening is huge. Not only for this season but perhaps the summer, also.
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