Liam Delap Targets England Call-Up After Record Nottingham Forest Move
Liam Delap has set his sights on forcing his way into England contention after joining Nottingham Forest, insisting he must keep learning before any senior call-up can become reality.
The 23-year-old striker is Forest’s record signing and is settling into life at the City Ground after a difficult spell at Chelsea. Delap, who was born in Nottingham and came through Manchester City’s academy, knows a strong run of form could put him back in the conversation to eventually succeed Harry Kane.
Delap targets England breakthrough
Delap said his immediate priority is improvement rather than looking too far ahead.
“I need to concentrate, work hard and develop because I’m still young and there is plenty for me to learn,” he said. “Hopefully I have a long career in front of me.
“Playing for England is what every kid dreams about, and it is obviously where I want to get to. But it does not simply happen. I have to improve and put the work in.”
Striker’s route to Forest
- Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich Town during the 2024-25 campaign, despite the club being relegated.
- His move from Ipswich to Chelsea brought high expectations, but he managed only two goals last season.
- Forest then made Delap their biggest-ever signing, offering him a fresh opportunity to revive his club career and chase an England debut.
Former Nottingham Forest forward Andy Cole believes it is too early to decide whether Delap can genuinely become Kane’s long-term replacement.
Cole said Delap’s Chelsea move had surprised him, arguing that the jump from Ipswich came with major pressure to deliver goals immediately. He added that Forest is now another significant test and that judgement should be reserved until Delap has had time to establish himself.
Kane’s eventual successor remains unclear
Kane remains England captain and the country’s leading attacking reference point, with 121 caps and 85 international goals. The 33-year-old struck 63 times for Bayern Munich last season and has also become a serious contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Questions persist over whether Kane can still lead England through to the 2030 World Cup, with his captaincy and No. 9 role certain to be handed on eventually.
Danny Murphy previously described Delap as the standout young English centre-forward and Kane’s most obvious long-term heir. Murphy pointed to Delap’s goal return in a struggling Ipswich side, praising the forward’s combination of physical strength and technical quality.
For now, however, no striker has firmly claimed Kane’s deputy role. Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, both now playing in the Saudi Pro League, were selected for England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
What happens next: Delap must turn his Forest move into goals. If he does, he will have a stronger case to convince Thomas Tuchel that he belongs in England’s next group of centre-forward options.
