Liam Delap is set to sign for Stoke City on a season-long loan, but the 19-year-old might feel he deserved more of a chance to prove his worth at Manchester City after impressing at youth level.
After Sergio Aguero was released in the summer of 2021, Delap had a chance to get more playing time, but Pep Guardiola opted to line up without a recognised striker for the entire campaign.
He’s since reverted to using natural centre-forwards, but Delap would have new boys Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in his way if he was to stay. Delap should thrive with regular football at a lower level, but he’ll hope his progress is being monitored.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th or lower
Delap joined City from Derby County in 2019 and has scored 11 goals with seven assists from 17 games for the U18s, scored 35 goals with nine assists from 36 games for the U23s and scored one goal from six games for the first-team.
The 19-year-old has scored for England at U16, U17 and U18 level while recently representing the U19s, so Delap has a bright future.
If Guardiola can’t afford him regular playing time, it makes sense to loan him out for a season. But Delap’s outstanding goal record at youth level should have garnered him more than just 170 minutes of senior football.
Time will tell if he can shine at Stoke and make Guardiola regret his decision.
In other news, Ilkay Gundogan tipped to sign new deal despite summer exit talk
As a so-called journo, if you did your homework, you should know that Liam was injured, this curtailed him playing more minutes in the first team.