Liam Delap has revealed Cole Palmer helped persuade him to hitch Chelsea this summer time.
The 22-year-old attracted curiosity from a bunch of golf equipment together with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United however eventually settled on Stamford Bridge, finishing a £30 million ($40.4m) switch earlier this month.
Delap and Palmer performed in the identical youth crew at Manchester City — successful the Premier League 2 title in 2020-21 — and the striker revealed he sought his former teammate’s recommendation whereas deciding what to do.
“Yeah I spoke to him a bit of bit,” Delap stated. “Requested him what I wanted to ask him. He instructed me what I wanted to know. I do not like an excessive amount of info. In the end it was my resolution so I form of simply need my head to be clear so not an excessive amount of. [I’ve known him] since I used to be 15, taking part in at Metropolis with him. I’ve acquired an excellent relationship with him so it was good to see a well-recognized face.
“There are such a lot of components that go into it. I’ve acquired an excellent relationship with the supervisor. I understand how he performs. I’ve performed on this system earlier than. I do know plenty of the gamers right here and the venture of the membership, how they see the long run. That is what excited me.”
Palmer accomplished his personal transfer from Metropolis to Chelsea in the summertime of 2023 and has since gone on to develop into one of many Premier League’s largest stars.
It’s a path Delap hopes to emulate.
“After all, that is the objective,” he stated. “I believe we each had comparable positions and he is gone and smashed it so hopefully I also can. I believe he is at all times been that good and everybody at Metropolis will inform you that. The speed he is completed it at is unbelievable. However I believe finally it was at all times going to occur.”
Delap additionally confirmed the transfer modified his summer time plans, having initially focused a run on the European under-21 Championships with England.
“I had my sights set on the Euros all season and I used to be actually wanting ahead to that,” Delap stated.
“However I signed right here they usually wished me to be right here. I need to be right here as nicely. I must get to know everybody in order that’s why I am right here.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has instructed Delap could be a future No. 9 for England and when requested whether or not he had spoken to seniors boss Thomas Tuchel, Delap stated: “I believe clearly it will assist being at a membership like this. If I am taking part in badly then clearly I do know I am not going to be in but when I am taking part in nicely then it offers me an excellent likelihood.”