Theo Walcott has admitted Liam Delap signing for Chelsea “worries him” and he was disappointed Arsenal didn’t try and sign the striker.
Chelsea made Delap their first summer signing after completing a deal worth £30m with Ipswich and he could make his debut in the Club World Cup against Los Angeles FC on Monday night.
The Blues will be delighted to have secured one of Enzo Maresca’s top targets and they beat off strong interest from the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle.
Walcott worried by Liam Delap joining Chelsea
Chelsea paid the price at times last season for not having an alternative to Nicolas Jackson, but they moved quickly this summer by bringing Delap in.
Delap impressed in his debut Premier League season scoring 12 goals, and he will add a much needed different dimension to Chelsea’s attack.
Cole Palmer believes Delap is one of the best strikers in the league, whilst Maresca is a big fan having coached him in the academy at Manchester City.
Alan Shearer believes the signing was a no brainer and former Arsenal star Walcott has admitted Delap joining Chelsea “worries” him.
“Delap going to Chelsea worries me as an Arsenal fan,” he told The Athletic.
“I know they have been going for that No 9, that Didier Drogba type, it’s that curse of the No 9. Delap can break that curse because he’s a really good striker. He’s the next one after Harry Kane for England.
“[It] disappoints me as an Arsenal fan if you don’t go after someone like that. You can see it in him as well, you can see his fight. He doesn’t care who he plays against.”
Nick Woltemade a target
With Delap through the door Chelsea could still bring another striker in and have been linked with Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
However, it appears there’s a new name on the list and the Blues are thought to have made an approach for Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.
The 23-year-old Germany international stands at 6ft 6in and scored 17 goals in all competitions for Stuttgart as they won the German Cup.
I hope woltemade pick Chelsea FC though the problem is the SD , can they negotiate well for not missing out. I recommend kudus his versatile player and he is proven . Woltemade and kudus signing will give the club strength in attack . Jao Pedro is similar to ekitike if jao Pedro is cheaper than ekitike why not try jao Pedro . But to me kudus is a signing for Chelsea FC alongside Jackson Delap Palmer Neto adds up woltemade . They need a goalkeeper/ CBs . Ismael Doukore with jorell Hato both versatile players and young ready to rumble .