The 2021/22 season was one to forget for teenage striker, Liam Delap.
After Manchester City’s failure to land Harry Kane as the successor to Sergio Agüero, the youngster seemed destined to be the side’s go-to striker.
However, an injury-riddled campaign, combined with the overwhelming success of Pep Guardiola’s false nine system, meant the 19-year-old was restricted to the sidelines for a chunk of last term.
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While some may have expected the Englishman to have been involved in some capacity in the first-team next season, that looks anything but likely at current.
With both Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland’s arrival, it is impossible to imagine how Delap breaks into the senior side anytime soon.
The latter profiles similarly to the Winchester-born forward, except for the fact that he is already the finished article, hailed by many as one of the best strikers in Europe.
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The former is set to serve as not merely an understudy to the Norwegian, but potentially as one of the most key squad players in the upcoming term.
So much so that it has previously been reported that the sales of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were made with the confidence that the Argentine could offer cover in both central and wide areas.
With a number of the Sky Blues’ youngsters taking a step forward in their careers next term, the 2022 Euros U19 champions' summer plans remain up in the air.
However, a new update has emerged that lifts the lid on what City reckon the best step is to advance the development of the teenager.
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As per a report by Sam Lee of the Athletic, City have rejected a permanent move for Liam Delap from Southampton, as the club would prefer to send him out on loan, with a switch to the Championship favoured.
Considering the club’s former Head of Recruitment Joe Shield’s decision to join Southampton, it seemed likely at one point that the towering marksman would end up reuniting with some ex-City youngsters.
The likes of Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu have already made the permanent switch to the South-Coast this summer.
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With Chelsea loanee Armando Broja opting for a permanent transfer to West Ham instead of pushing for a move to the Saints, the son of former Stoke City midfielder, Rory Delap seemed destined to join Ralph Hasenhüttl's side.
However, sending certain Sky Blues players on loan in the Championship - such as Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle - is a strategy that has worked wonders for players that will eventually play Premier League football one day.
Delap fits that very category, as his development could further be accelerated by heading out to the English second tier in the 2022/23 season.
Upon his return he will be hoping his performances are too hard for Guardiola to ignore.
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Alongside the likes of Cole Palmer and James McAtee, Delap is a player who has progressed through the ranks at City from an early age.
Topics: Manchester City, Liam Delap, Premier League, Southampton, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours
Srinivas Sadhanand