Latest news with #IpswichTown
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Chelsea to give Liam Delap major dilemma with £30million striker at risk of being in middle of club vs country row
LIAM DELAP'S first major test at Chelsea won't be on the pitch – it'll be navigating a club versus country row. Chelsea are closing in on the £30million striker having already agreed personal terms. 3 3 3 And they want him available for the Fifa Club World Cup this summer. But that tournament clashes with England's plans to include him in their squad for the Uefa Under-21 European Championship, which kicks off on June 12. Delap scored 12 goals and provided two assists for relegated Ipswich last season and his performances look to have secured a move to the capital. But he's about to get mixed up in some of the unwanted politics of the Beautiful Game. Delap reportedly had offers from Manchester United, Everton, and Chelsea. But journalist Ben Jacobs is reporting that that Thomas Tuchel convinced him a Champions League platform would boost his chances of making England's 2026 World Cup squad. Chelsea, fresh off winning the Europa Conference League, have wasted no time splashing the cash on Delap. United were believed to be front-runners to land the England Under-21 star. But a disastrous end to their season – in contrast to Chelsea's strong finish – is understood to have tipped the balance. Delap was also coached by Enzo Maresca during his time at Manchester City's academy, while Joe Shields – now at Chelsea – played a key role in bringing him from Derby to City back in 2019. SunSport understands all these factors played a key role in convincing one of England's brightest young talents to join Chelsea. But, as with every top club, Delap will need to get used to being at the heart of club vs country tug-of-wars whenever international and domestic duties overlap. Chelsea have had Nicolas Jackson leading the line over the last two seasons but he has failed to fully convince fans he is the man to take them forward.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
INEOS devise four-man shortlist of Delap alternatives – including 38-goal PL frontman and Osimhen
INEOS have had to go back to the drawing board after missing out on the signing of first-choice centre-forward target Liam Delap. Manchester United were informed this week that the Ipswich Town star had set his sights on a move to Chelsea, rebuffing interest from the Reds, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. Advertisement Chelsea have now taken the necessary steps to activate Delap's £30 million release clause before he'll formally join Enzo Maresca's already-stacked attacking options. United made to re-think transfer plans following Delap snub The Stamford Bridge outfit are preparing to add Liam Delap to their ranks. (Photo by) Now, it's a case of where United turn next. Their failure to qualify for the Champions League has made their pursuit of ambitious targets considerably more complicated; it's thought that's what deterred Delap from making the move after holding positive talks with the club over an Old Trafford switch. According to CaughtOffside, key decision-makers are racking their brains over potential forwards they could realistically welcome this summer, with Victor Osimhen, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani and Jonathan David all of interest – the latter will be available for free ahead of his Lille release at the end of June. Who could lead Ruben Amorim's frontline next season? Of the quartet, Mateta is the only Premier League-proven option, having spent the last five seasons plying his trade at Crystal Palace. Advertisement Targeting players with respectable top-flight records has been an ongoing theme for INEOS in the lead-up to the window opening; Matheus Cunha is on the cusp of officially signing for United, while Bryan Mbeumo, Eberechi Eze and Emiliano Martinez have all been linked thus far. CaughtOffside also adds that United are long-standing admirers of Benjamin Sesko. However, the youngster is closing in on a move to Arsenal, who could be forced to fork out a fee as high as £75m to prise him from RB Leipzig, where he's tied down to a contract until 2029. More Stories / Latest News INEOS devise four-man shortlist of Delap alternatives – including 38-goal PL frontman and Osimhen Advertisement May 31 2025, 14:43 ESPN journo: United should move for 'proven' Liverpool ace who wants out this summer, he'd replace £47m let-down May 31 2025, 12:52 League winners now trying to 'soften up' United to agree £40m deal on their terms, negotiations underway May 31 2025, 9:20
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ipswich to 'turn pink' for Ed Sheeran Portman Road concerts
A town will celebrate Ed Sheeran's series of homecoming gigs by turning this month Sheeran announced a run of shows at Ipswich Town Football Club's home stadium Portman Road on 11, 12 and 13 Central Business Improvement District (BID) and Ipswich Borough Council announced they would decorate the town with bunting in the same shade of pink as Sheeran's new album, Play, to welcome him Walker, chief executive of the BID, said it was "a chance for the whole town to celebrate". "When we heard that global superstar, dedicated Ipswich Town fan and local lad Ed Sheeran was coming home to perform in Ipswich this summer, and bringing 90,000 fans with him, we knew we had to celebrate," Mr Walker said. "As we 'Welcome Home Ed' it's a chance for the whole town to celebrate as the eyes of the world fall on the town."Mr Walker added that Ipswich was "the only town getting this opportunity this summer" and it was an opportunity to welcome home one of its "successful sons".Sheeran went to school in Framlingham and is also has a minority share in Ipswich Town Football Club. During July, street entertainment including live music from local talent will be organised and on Sheeran's concert days there will be a fan zone of music, merchandise, food and drink stalls on with a connection to Sheeran are due to be highlighted on a walking tour hosted on the All About Ipswich Central has also launched a Sheeran-themed window dressing leader of the council, Neil MacDonald, added he believed "plenty of people" would be on board with painting the town pink."We're very happy to welcome him back, and the whole area will benefit from the boost to the local economy," he added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Chelsea ask Liam Delap to put Club World Cup ahead of England
Chelsea will ask Liam Delap to put the Club World Cup ahead of England in another club-against-country row this summer. Delap is close to reuniting with Enzo Maresca after his £30 million release clause at Ipswich Town was met, but has also been preparing for the Under-21 Euros in Slovakia, where Lee Carsley's side will defend their title. While Delap, 22, is desperate to play for England, Chelsea sources are expecting the club to request for him to be released – should he complete his move to Stamford Bridge – for Fifa's expanded club competition starting on June 14. Delap was in the frame to start for Carsley in England's opener against Czech Republic on June 12, with further group-stage matches against Slovenia and Germany. The Club World Cup in the United States, which will feature Lionel Messi, has priority over internationals and reflects the importance of the Fifa event, as historically precedence has been the other way around. Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, questioned who pays the players' salaries when the Football Association requested Rico Lewis and James McAtee for the under-21 tournament, which overlaps with City's participation in the Club World Cup. Neither were included in the original preparation camp for the finals, with McAtee now called into Carsley's squad but no agreement on Lewis. Having won the 2022 European Under-19 Championship, also held in Slovakia, Delap had set his sights on another winners' medal after his breakthrough season in the Premier League. He scored 12 goals during his rookie campaign in the top flight, with a number of clubs chasing his signature for his low release clause. Manchester United also wanted Delap, among others, but his preference was for Chelsea and working with Maresca, who had known from his time at Manchester City's academy. Personal terms still need to be agreed for the deal to go ahead, with a medical scheduled for Monday if all negotiations go smoothly. Delap's deal would start a busy summer in the striker market, with the Etihad graduate seen as offering attributes that other strikers of his age do not have. Dean Holden, who scouted Delap for Stoke City before a loan at the Bet365 Stadium, saw he was unlike other academy forwards. 'You can't compare anyone to [Alan] Shearer, but you can say that Liam isn't like your academy No 10-type forward who comes short for the ball. He wants to win at all costs,' Holden said. Chelsea also have Reece James, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke called up to Thomas Tuchel's senior squad, with a friendly against Senegal on June 10 coming six days before Maresca's team have their tournament opener.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Kalvin Phillips out until August after Achilles operation as Man City midfielder searches for next move in order to revive his career
Kalvin Phillips will not have the luxury of a full pre-season after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury. The Manchester City midfielder, who spent last season on loan at relegated Ipswich Town, is expected to be back fit in August following the operation. Phillips will be searching for a move away from City this summer – either on a permanent or loan basis – and doesn't feature in Pep Guardiola 's plans. And having surgery now offers the 29-year-old the best chance of hitting the ground running pain-free when he returns at the start of the new campaign. Phillips went on City's pre-season tour of the United States last summer but would not have been in contention to join the squad at the Club World Cup next month. The England international will use City's facilities while undergoing his rehabilitation as he hunts for a switch elsewhere. Phillips signed from Leeds United for £42million three years ago and has a contract running until 2028. After struggling for appearances, he had a six-month spell at West Ham in 2024. Phillips then featured in 19 Premier League games for Kieran McKenna's Ipswich, missing 10 matches through injury. 'A frustrating end to a tough season,' Phillips said. 'I just wanted to say thank you Ipswich Town. 'Thank you to the fans for making me and my family feel so loved after a difficult two years. Thank you to the staff and players, an unbelievable group that I loved being around every day. 'And a special thanks to the manager, a great manager but also a great person, who's helped me on and off the pitch in so many ways. He made me believe in myself again. 'I have no doubt Ipswich will be back where they belong very soon and I wish everyone at the club all the best.' Meanwhile, City academy star James McAtee will link up with England's Under 21s for the European Championship instead of going to the Club World Cup. The decision all but signifies the end of McAtee's time at City, whom he scored seven goals in 26 appearances for this year. A host of Bundesliga teams, including Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen, are interested in the attacking midfielder.
