Jon Obi Mikel questions Chelsea's decision to sign Liam Delap over 'finished article' Victor Osimhen as club legend makes trophy point

The Blues secured the signing of Delap on a six-year contract after activating a £30 million ($40m) release clause in his Ipswich contract. Out of that fee, £20 million will be paid upfront, while Ipswich have retained a sell-on percentage. The move comes after Delap netted 12 Premier League goals last season, a notable feat considering his side was relegated.

Despite Delap's respectable numbers, Mikel has voiced concerns about whether the 22-year-old can lead the line for a club with Chelsea’s lofty ambitions. Speaking candidly in an interview with The Standard, the former Chelsea midfielder said: "I just hope that it’s going to be the right decision. I like Liam Delap. He’s a good young striker who works his socks off. Is he a proven goalscorer in the Premier League? Can he do it at a big club like Chelsea? That’s the question. It’s about how the manager works with him and develops him.

"What we need as a team is healthy competition. You can’t win the Premier League or Champions League with just one striker. We’ve only had Nicolas Jackson. Now, he and Delap will push each other. I hope we’ll see the best of both of them at the Club World Cup."

Osimhen has been on the radar of several elite clubs, but interest has cooled due to his hefty wage expectations. However, there’s increasing speculation that a move to the Premier League remains on the cards with Manchester United among the suitors. Mikel believes Chelsea should have taken the plunge regardless of the financial commitment involved.

“If you want somebody to evolve over the next two, three, four years, which is what the club has done, then that also makes sense. But Chelsea Football Club’s culture is winning, straight away. If you want to win, you have to bring in a Victor Osimhen," Mikel argued.

“That’s how you win trophies. Because he will get you goals. Delap is a great young striker, but you have to wait and see if he’ll do it at a big club like Chelsea. Did he do it this season with Ipswich? Of course, they got relegated. So there’s so much to take in."

Despite his preference for Osimhen, Mikel remains hopeful that Delap will produce the goods.

“I hope he does well,” Mikel smiled. “But the fans and me, we would have liked to see a proven goalscorer, somebody who has done it in Italy, in Turkey, and could have come here and done it for the club straight away.”

Delap will get a quick taste of high-stakes football as he joins Enzo Maresca’s squad heading to the United States for the upcoming Club World Cup. Chelsea’s campaign kicks off against LAFC on June 16, providing a prime opportunity for the young forward to make a statement on the international stage and silence his doubters.