Liam Delap has hailed Manchester City’s Academy and says the education he received at the Club built foundations for a strong career in the game.
After completing a permanent move to Ipswich this summer, the striker is preparing to face his former colleagues this weekend with the Tractor Boys travelling to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
During a five-year spell in our youth system, Delap became a pivotal figure for our Elite Development Squad, helping our Under-21s to the Premier League 2 crown in 2020/21 by scoring 20 goals which also earned him the PL2 Player of the Season award.
After tasting senior football with Pep Guardiola’s side, he enjoyed loan stints with Stoke and Preston in 2022/23 and with Hull City last term.
And Delap believes his learnings from City’s Academy coaches has placed him on an exciting pathway in professional football.
“Everything I’ve learned from different coaches and through my pathway here, it builds you and [puts you] in really good stead to go and do well at any club,” he explained.
And Delap believes his learnings from City’s Academy coaches has placed him on an exciting pathway in professional football.
“Everything I’ve learned from different coaches and through my pathway here, it builds you and [puts you] in really good stead to go and do well at any club,” he explained.
“You learn so much and things become natural and you become sharper then you can take that into wherever you go on loan. It helped me a lot.
“I think everyone [helped me]. I came in with Gareth [Taylor] and I had Enzo [Maresca] and Brian [Barry-Murphy].
“From every coach you learn different things so you can take different values from coaches and add it all into your game.”
Delap made his City first-team debut in our 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth in September 2020 where he scored a fantastic goal in the success.
He would then go on to make a further six senior appearances for the Blues including his Premier League bow against Leicester in September 2020 and a Champions League outing away to Sporting in February 2021.
For the 21-year-old, he realised a childhood ambition by making his maiden appearance for the Club.
He added: “It was incredible, it’s every boy’s dream really [to make their debut].
“I was buzzing, the only thing that let it down was COVID so there were no fans.
“It’s different but I always enjoy it. I like the noise and the atmosphere. When the atmosphere is good, it makes you happy and excited. I really enjoy it.”
Following a productive loan spell at Hull City last term where he scored eight goals for the Tigers, Ipswich swooped for Delap’s services upon their promotion to the Premier League.
After starting in their 2-0 opening day defeat to Liverpool at Portman Road, Delap’s target for the term is clear.
“I just want to have a really good season and score a lot of goals,” he concluded.
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