Philadelphia, USA
Pressure no be small thing when you wear Chelsea shirt, but for Liam Delap, na opportunity wey dem dey find. The 22-year-old forward don jampack im boots since he join the Blues early this month, and him don already show wetin e fit do.
During the Club World Cup, when e come as second-half substitute, Delap deliver correct cross wey lead to goal. Na wetin we sabi be say, e help Chelsea secure 2-0 victory against LAFC. (E no easy to shine under pressure, but some people sabi work am like magic!)
Off the pitch, Delap dey catch vibes with him new team-mates quick-quick. E don settle well because him sabi some of dem already. ‘When I dey settle for new place, na the 24/7 togetherness we dey do help me know everybody,’ he talk. Na for Philadelphia, the place dey hot and humid as dem prepare for match against ES Tunis.
‘We get solid English boys for the team, and I don spend plenty time with dem. I dey use my past connections to build chemistry.’ E no dey hide say him don play with Cole Palmer since e be 15 years old for Manchester City, and dat one dey help am feel at home.
Delap no just wan be any player—we know say him get pedigree. E dey known for him physical and relentless style wey dey hunt goals like hungry lion. ‘I don show say I dey like those battle. Na so I don be since I small, aggressive and dey always dey push front,’ he talk. (This guy dey ready to tackle anything wey come im way!)
But no forget say, di competition thick for Chelsea, and Delap sabi im get work cut out under manager Maresca. ‘With the size of di club, na so e go dey competitive. E dey sweet when we dey fight for our place,’ he add.
Dey within di competitive spirit, him sabi take No.9 shirt like say na him birthright. ‘Number nine don dey relate to strikers, and na wetin I like. My idol as I grow up na Cristiano Ronaldo, so I dey hold am high!’ E no dey play when e dey hype im idol, adding some fire to in motivation.
With more action on di way for di tournament, Delap dey ready to seize dis opportunity. ‘Dis summer go be something wey go change di game. E dey high level tournament, and we fit prepare well for di season wey dey come.’ As Chelsea dey set to clash with ES Tunis at 2am UK time on Wednesday, who no go want watch? (You fit catch di game live, no wahala!)
