Manchester Evening News say Liam Delap has returned to training after recovering from a long-term injury, leaving Pep Guardiola with a dilemma. The 18-year-old could do with competitive football to improve his fitness and boost his development, but he’s also a player that might benefit from training with the first-team.
Delap has scored 11 goals with seven assists in 17 games for the U18s, featured twice for the U19s, scored 28 goals with eight assists in 28 games for the U23s and scored one goal in three games for the first-team. He’s scored six goals in 10 games for England U16s, bagged two goals in two games for the U17s and scored one goal in one game for the U18s.
Delap joined City from Derby in 2019 and has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2026. Guardiola rates the 18-year-old highly and wants him to be an option in the senior team when fully fit, but a short-term loan move in January could be beneficial.
Despite this, the Manchester Evening News say City have a ‘plan’ in place to avoid letting Delap leave on a temporary basis this month, so it does appear he’ll be given opportunities when Guardiola deems him ready.
In other news, Man City ‘hope to complete deal’ for 21 y/o with 36 goals and 25 assists in 96 games