Delap: My graft from Rams to get to Chelsea

LIAM Delap has reflected on his footballing journey, which began at Derby County and has now taken him to Chelsea.

- By JAMES PALLETT

Delap spent almost a decade in the Rams academy before leaving the club to join Manchester City in 2019 where he was coached by Enzo Maresca and was a team-mate of Cole Palmer, both of whom he is now reunited with at Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea, who have paid £30m to sign him from Ipswich Town, and he is set to play on the biggest stage in Europe, in the Champions League next season.

He says signing for Chelsea is the culmination of “a lifetime of graft” which began with Derby.

"Since I was eight or nine years old, I was focused on football,” he said.

“I never wanted to do anything else and I've given everything I could to make it happen.

“It’s such a long and hard period and things can be tough for you, but I've always enjoyed it. I just love football; I'd be playing with my mates if I wasn’t a professional.

“Fortunately, I’m alright at it - and I'm delighted that graft has worked out and I’m here now at Chelsea.”

“Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years.

“I wanted to come here to win trophies.

“When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top and they have the quality and the players to do that.

“The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective.”