Chelsea have identified the in-form striker as a potential future player for Enzo Maresca, with the club’s scouts monitoring his every game.
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The west Londoner’s summer signing Liam Delap hasn’t exactly had the best start to his career, but he has spent most of his debut at Stamford Bridge on the treatment table.
Indeed, Delap’s promising stint at Chelsea turned into a frustration, with the 22-year-old starting just six games in all competitions.
Persistent fitness issues prevented him from establishing any meaningful impact. Delap’s nightmare began in August with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than two months and forced him to miss 10 games in a crucial season opener.
After finally returning to fitness in November, the England youth international made his sixth Premier League start against Bournemouth, but disaster struck again.
After landing awkwardly after an aerial duel with Marcos Senesi, Delap dislocated his shoulder and was sent off after just 32 minutes with his arm in a makeshift sling.
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That could lead to a very popular transfer.
Subsequent reports said the former Manchester City star would be sidelined for up to a month, with his return not expected until mid-January.
The forward’s only goal this season came as a substitute in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Barcelona, and Maresca admitted Delap was “a bit unlucky” but insisted the goal would eventually come if he maintained his fitness and rhythm.
However, according to journalist Simon Phillips, there were “internal concerns” over his start to life at Chelsea, and the club’s desire to play Joao Pedro in an attacking midfield role means they are considering another striker.
Emmanuel Emega is set to join from Strasbourg next year, but his plans are unclear at the moment and it is possible he could return on loan.
Chelsea name Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli as ‘player of the future’
Phillips reported this morning via Substack that Chelsea are keeping in-form striker Joaquin Panicelli firmly on their radar as a “player of the future” despite concerns over Delap.
The club’s scouts are also said to have watched all of his matches for Strasbourg and will be very impressed with the Argentine’s game.
Panichelli has scored 10 goals in 21 games in all competitions for Chelsea’s sister club so far, and his links with Strasbourg via BlueCo mean this could be a fairly easy deal.
“Chelsea are considering a new striker and one of the names the club is currently eyeing is Joaquín Panichelli, who is of course also at Strasbourg,” Phillips wrote.
“He has been named as another future Chelsea player and the club’s scouts are currently monitoring all his matches.”
The 23-year-old has also made a serious impression with Ligue 1 experts, with pundit Joachim Duran telling Transfermarkt that Panichelli is a “pure number nine” with many desirable qualities.
“Pannicheri is a pure number nine,” Durand added.
“His main qualities are finishing, positioning and heading ability. He is also very involved in the defensive work, especially in pressing.”
Agent makes ‘clear’ transfer request as Chelsea aim to leave in January
His agent made one thing clear.
