Liam Delap has managed just two goals in 36 appearances across all competitions since joining Chelsea from Ipswich Town in a £30 million transfer, and his last strike came during a January defeat to Fulham — a drought that has stretched several months and drawn increasing scrutiny over his adaptation to elite-level football.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who himself played as a striker for Chelsea, has offered a clear diagnosis of what is holding the young forward back. Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Blues forward argued the root cause is mental rather than technical. “I think for him it’s confidence,” Hasselbaink said. “When you’re out there and you’re not having any rhythm, you know, then he plays, then he doesn’t, then he gets ten minutes, then he doesn’t.”
Hashelbaink expanded on how a prolonged absence from the scoresheet can create a damaging cycle for any striker. “When you are not scoring and it’s taking a long time you get to doubt yourself,” he continued. “I think he needs coaching because here and there I think he can be in better positions, but I think the majority of it is self-belief, it’s confidence. You don’t lose your ability from one day to another — you don’t become all of a sudden a bad player from one day to another. So, it’s all in the head.”
The 23-year-old’s struggles have been further underlined by a quiet performance against Brighton & Hove Albion, a fixture that intensified questions about whether he can establish himself as a consistent contributor at one of the Premier League’s most demanding clubs. Hasselbaink’s analysis centres specifically on the stop-start nature of Delap’s involvement, with the striker frequently introduced as a substitute for brief spells rather than being handed extended runs in the starting eleven — a pattern the former forward believes is fundamentally incompatible with rebuilding confidence in front of goal.
Delap arrived at Stamford Bridge carrying considerable promise, having been one of the standout performers in Ipswich Town’s Premier League campaign before his move. His ability in the air and physical presence were cited as attributes that suited Chelsea’s attacking structure, and he outshone Victor Eletu during a 4-1 preseason friendly victory over AC Milan, suggesting early potential. However, converting that pre-season form into consistent league output has proved elusive.
Chelsea’s broader managerial situation adds another layer of uncertainty to Delap’s immediate future. The club has been linked with several coaching candidates as they continue to navigate what has been a turbulent period, and any change in the dugout would inevitably influence how attacking players are deployed and developed. A new manager’s tactical preferences could either provide the sustained game time Hasselbaink believes is essential for Delap’s recovery, or further complicate his bid for a regular starting role.
With the Premier League season entering its final weeks, Delap has limited opportunities remaining to add to his tally of two goals and demonstrate that his difficult debut campaign is a temporary setback rather than a sign of things to come. Hasselbaink’s assessment, while sympathetic, places the burden squarely on the striker’s mental fortitude — and on the club to provide the stability and consistency of selection that would allow that confidence to be rebuilt.
