Liam Delap had his Stoke City loan spell terminated after scoring just three goals in 23 games. The 19-year-old outgrow reserve-team football at Manchester City and needed experience at senior level, but his first stint away didn’t go to plan.
Delap hasn’t stayed in Manchester, however, as a short-term deal was agreed with Preston North End on Thursday. The England U20 international will spend the rest of the season on loan at Deepdale and will hope to have a more prolific spell than he did at the Britannia.
Pep Guardiola had a decision to make on Delap last summer when the 19-year-old was on the cusp of first-team football, but he opted against keeping him as he felt he wasn’t ready. Instead, Rico Lewis was promoted and given opportunities which he’s taken. Delap has struggled.
It took the youngster nine Championship games to get on the scoresheet and took another nine games to double his tally. Delap started 14 league games from a possible 22 for a Stoke side sitting 18th in the second tier, so he’ll hope 10th-placed Preston will be a better move.
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