In a recent report from Manchester Evening News, it was mentioned that Manchester City starlet Liam Delap has been confirmed to go out on a season-long loan. However, it is still to be seen which club he signs for amid several Premier League and Championship clubs interested in acquiring his services.
Delap’s Impressive Performances For Manchester City So Far
Delap has produced some influential displays over the past few years at the Academy level by performing consistently in the final third. He has managed to score 45 goals and register 16 assists over 54 appearances across three seasons and scored 24 goals in Premier League 2 in the title-winning 2020/21 season.
He has been training with the first team for over a year now but his progress was hampered last season as he succumbed to injuries.
Why Does Manchester City Have To Ensure Regular Playtime For This Youngster?
Delap is an emerging striking sensation but a star-studded City side has no room for the academy talent as Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez’s arrival to the Etihad makes it prevalent that first-team opportunities will be limited for the striker. Furthermore, there is no value for Man City if he drops down to the under-21 squad, so a loan move remains the most viable option.
Pep Guardiola believes he’s too good for academy football and such praise from the Spanish tactician has garnered attention from various clubs. The Sky Blues have rejected an offer of £16 million from Southampton, stating that the English forward is a part of their long-term future, so they are only open to loan offers regarding their Academy product.
Manchester City have a wide transfer policy that also brings in youth prospects to develop them further and make them capable of competing at a high level which is beneficiary for them considering their value over the coming years if they wish to sell them or add them to their first team squad to utilise their abilities. Delap remains on the latter side where he would be called back when required, but currently, regular playtime remains necessary for his growth and that is what Guardiola’s plans are as well.
