“At the moment” - Roy Keane issues scathing assessment of Chelsea ace amid poor form

Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes striker Liam Delap is really “lacking confidence,” and “really lacks quality.”

Delap joined Chelsea last summer for £30m from Ipswich after the Blues activated his £30m relegation release clause.

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Chelsea fought off interest from a number of Premier League clubs to land the England under-21 international, but he’s struggled this season.

Roy Keane on Liam Delap form

The 23-year-old has scored just two goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, with one of those coming in the Premier League.

Delap has had injury problems over the first half of the season, but when he’s played he simply hasn’t been able to deliver.

Delap has only scored two goals this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher believes Delap made a mistake in joining Chelsea, and now Keane has given his opinion on the striker.

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“At the moment, he’s really lacking confidence, and really lacks quality, doesn’t he? He’s only a young kid but a handful [of games] is not enough,” he told Stick To Football.

Delap has started just three games since Liam Rosenior arrived, with one of those on the right wing against Arsenal, and Jason Cundy thinks he should be sent out on loan.

With the form Joao Pedro is in, opportunities could be limited, although there’s a good chance he could lead the line against Hull in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

Emmanuel Emegha to arrive in the summer

The pressure will be on Delap to produce over the second half of the season as Chelsea look to secure Champions League qualification.

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Regardless of how he performs, there will be more competition next season with the arrival of Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in the summer.

Emegha has signed a seven year deal at Stamford Bridge, and scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season under Liam Rosenior, and it will be interesting to see what impact the Dutch international makes.

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