Liam Delap, one of the most sought-after strikers this summer, has opened up about his decision to join Chelsea. The 22-year-old, who scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich, was attracted by Chelsea's ambitious project and the opportunity to play in Europe.

The Decision-Making Process

Delap consulted with Chelsea's star attacker Cole Palmer, a former teammate from their Manchester City days. "I asked him what I needed to ask him, he told me what I needed to know," Delap said. "Ultimately, it was my decision so I kind of just want my head to be clear."

Familiar Faces and Future Aspirations

Delap also has a good relationship with Chelsea manager Maresca, having played under him at Manchester City. "I know how he plays. I've played in this system before," Delap noted. "I know a lot of the players here and the project of the club, how they see the future. That's what excited me."

The 'Cursed' Number Nine Shirt

Delap has taken Chelsea's so-called 'cursed' number nine shirt, previously worn by the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku. "It's something that people talk about but it doesn't mean anything to me," Delap said. "It's something that's related to strikers so I chose it."

Club vs Country Dilemma

Delap faced a tough choice between playing in the Club World Cup with Chelsea or the Under-21s European Championships with England. "I had my sights set on the Euros all season and I was really looking forward to that," he admitted. "But I signed here and they wanted me to be here. I want to be here as well."

Looking Ahead

Delap is focused on settling in at Chelsea and preparing for the upcoming season. "I'm with the boys all the time, it helps me settle in really fast and we can prepare and work on things that we want to use in the season to come," he said.

Pressure and Expectations

Delap is aware of the pressure that comes with playing for a big club like Chelsea but remains unfazed. "I don't really like to look at everything from the outside. I am at a big club now and I have probably not had that amount but my mind is strong enough to not let it affect me," he concluded.