Liam Delap for England: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca backs Ipswich sensation for Three Lions call-up ahead of reunion with ex-Man City striker

With Chelsea due to face Ipswich in the Premier League on Monday evening, Maresca was asked about Delap, having worked with the emerging talent during a previous job as an assistant coach at Manchester City. The Italian spoke highly of the 21-year-old, who has impressed in an otherwise struggling Ipswich side since making the permanent switch during the summer.

Delap's six Premier League goals so far this season account for nearly 40% of Ipswich's team total and have repaid the faith shown in him with a £20 million ($25m) transfer fee - so much so, the club could potentially turn a profit even in the event of relegation - there are already links with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and a swift return to Manchester City. He has been capped at every England age group since Under-16s and appears well placed to step into a senior Three Lions squad without a natural successor to Harry Kane.

"Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age. I think we spent one year together [at Manchester City] and I think he scored 22, 24 goals and he is a very good striker," Maresca told reporters at a press conference.

"In England they have many like him and they have many good players, good strikers and he’s working hard off the ball, on the ball, he understands the game and can score goals. And also because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England."

The next opportunity for Delap to get a maiden senior England call-up will be in March when 2026 World Cup qualification begins with back-to-back home games against Albania and Latvia. It will also be the start of the Thomas Tuchel era, making it doubly likely there will be opportunities for new players to work their way into contention. Before then, however, attention will be on dragging Ipswich out of danger amid a tough fixture list against exclusively top half sides throughout January.