Liam Delap Boosts England Case After Scoring on Nottingham Forest Debut
Liam Delap has made an immediate impact at Nottingham Forest, scoring in the 2-1 away win over Aston Villa as he starts to rebuild his case for England selection.
The 23-year-old striker has been urged to stay on Thomas Tuchel’s radar as England begin to consider their longer-term options beyond captain Harry Kane, who is now 33.
Delap’s route back
- Delap earned major praise after scoring 12 Premier League goals for relegated Ipswich Town.
- Chelsea paid £30 million for him in 2025, with expectations high that he would establish himself in west London.
- A hamstring problem suffered two weeks into the campaign ruled him out for two months.
- Managerial upheaval and a dislocated shoulder added to his difficulties at Stamford Bridge.
- He ended his Chelsea spell with only two goals from 41 appearances in all competitions.
- After joining Forest, Delap struck in only his second match, helping his new side beat Aston Villa 2-1.
England opportunity
Kane remains England’s leading centre-forward, but the search for a possible successor is increasingly important ahead of future tournaments. The depth of young elite No. 9s is limited, leaving a significant gap between Kane and the available alternatives.
Jordan believes Delap has the ability to force his way into that conversation. He pointed to the forward’s Ipswich season, while arguing that the Chelsea move stalled a young player who was then swallowed up by a difficult environment.
Forest now offer Delap a fresh platform. His next task is to secure a sustained run in the side and show he can score consistently in the Premier League. If he maintains his early Forest form, Tuchel could have a new England option to assess as Kane’s eventual replacement.
