Delap can be important player for England - Maresca

Chelsea brag Enzo Maresca believes Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who helium coached successful Manchester City's academy, tin go "an important subordinate for England".

The 21-year-old has been 1 of the Tractor Boys' standout players connected their instrumentality to the Premier League, scoring six goals to day successful his archetypal afloat play successful the apical flight.

Delap, lad of erstwhile Premier League midfielder Rory Delap, joined Ipswich connected a imperishable transportation successful the summertime from Manchester City's academy in a woody worthy up to £20m.

"Liam is simply a fantastic player, and besides for his age," said Maresca. "I deliberation we spent 1 twelvemonth unneurotic and helium scored [about] 22 to 24 goals. He is simply a precise bully striker.

"England person galore bully players, galore bully strikers [but] he's moving hard disconnected the shot and connected the ball, understands the crippled and tin people goals. I deliberation helium tin beryllium an important subordinate for England."

Delap scored 35 goals successful 36 games for City's Under-21s and antecedently spent clip connected indebtedness astatine Championship sides Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City, earlier opting to permission City successful the summertime to summation accordant first-team football.

He is yet to marque his nationalist squad debut but has played 10 times for England Under-21s, scoring doubly aft antecedently playing for each nationalist property people side.

The Tractor Boys, who beryllium 19th successful Premier League and 3 points disconnected safety, big Chelsea connected Monday.