Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Sat 23 May 2026 14:10, UK

Liam Derlap has been linked with a move to Leeds United.

The Whites have plenty of business to do in the summer transfer window as they look to establish themselves as a Premier League club.

Signing attacking reinforcements will be one of the top priorities for Daniel Farke, who has had to rely far too heavily on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Englishman has 14 Premier League goals this season, and is just one away from being the third Leeds striker to score 15 in a Premier League campaign since 2000.

Delap has been linked to satisfy that pressure, but the stats speak volumes as to why it would be a huge error.

Liam Delap’s season by the numbers

Delap has managed more yellow cards than he has goals this season, which is already one of the biggest red flags.

The former Man City forward has managed just one Premier League goal for Chelsea, despite having recorded 4.47 xG.

On top of that, Delap has won just 39.3 per cent of his duels in the top flight, while also having completed just 70.1 per cent of his attempted passes.

Both stats showcase his inability to impact a game if he isnt scoring goals, which he has struggled to do at Stamford Bridge.

Only 10.2 per cent of forwards have created fewer chances than Delap, who has created three, again demonstrating his limitations in the final third.

How much would Delap cost?

The Blues paid £0million to sign Delap from Ipswich last summer, and it’s believed they would require a similar fee to offload him.

Given the lack of goals, Leeds have no reason to meet those demands, with far better value for money elsewhere.

For context, the Whites signed Lukas Nmecha for free last summer, and the German has managed five more goals from only two more xG.

Delap would want guarantees over gametime for his next move, and if Leeds gave him them, they would immediately be closer to relegation.