Delap pursuit shows Everton are looking up under Moyes

EVERTON look set to lose out on the battle for Liam Delap with the striker advancing on a move to Chelsea.

- By JOE THOMAS

The 22-year-old was a target for the Blues with David Moyes willing to go on the record with his desire to join the battle for the Ipswich Town forward after his impressive season in the Premier League.

Moyes was always realistic about Everton's chances of landing the player, meaning the setback is a minor one.

And despite appearing set to lose out, there are positives that can be taken from the pursuit.

The most notable is the intent shown by Moyes and the club in the public pronouncements of interest in Delap.

The Blues boss broke cover from the usual playbook of managers not willing to speak about players from other clubs and the benefits of having done so are clear.

There was no jeopardy to doing so - once Delap's relegation release clause became known it was obvious he would be the subject of widespread interest.

Kieran McKenna, his manager at Portman Road, was aware there were clubs lining up for him.

But the impact on the Everton fanbase was clear. Moyes has reiterated his demands that the club should be looking up the table.

While he was ultra-cautious in acknowledging Everton were safe, refusing to do so until weeks after it felt enough points had been secured to guarantee survival, his rhetoric has always been that this is a club that should be focused on progress.

Joining the transfer battle for one of the hottest prospects in the game was symbolic of that.

This was a case of stepping beyond mere words and acting like the forward-thinking club he wants to create.

That is important because for so long, Everton have operated within themselves.