One problem Newcastle United have faced this summer is convincing players to join them. Unfortunately, with no European football on offer, many have chosen other options even when presented with the opportunity to head to St James’ Park or just stay put.
The lack of Champions League or even Europa League football has clearly made the Magpies a less attractive destination than they were during Eddie Howe’s more successful recent campaigns. Clubs and players alike are increasingly prioritising European nights, higher wages, and greater exposure. For Newcastle, that reality has bitten hard during this transfer window.
Victor Munoz ended up at Liverpool after it had looked like a move was as good as done. Johan Manzambi chose to join Aston Villa even after the Magpies had agreed a deal with SC Freiburg. And Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned down the chance to join Newcastle United, even though Marseille are clearly keen to part ways with the midfielder.
These three near-misses paint a clear picture. Newcastle are having to work much harder than in previous summers to land their targets. The absence of European competition has removed one of the biggest selling points the club had previously relied upon. Players who might once have been excited by the project under Howe are now thinking twice.
One can only hope that Newcastle United have better luck in the final couple of weeks of the summer transfer window. And for a change, it looks like a striker is open to the idea of a move to St James’ Park, if rumours are accurate.
Chelsea player keen on Newcastle United move
The player in question is a Chelsea striker. According to a report from Transferfeed, his hoping that Newcastle United will formalise their interest.
Delap joined Chelsea just last summer after his Ipswich Town side were relegated. At the time, the move was seen as a significant step up for the young English forward. Many expected him to develop into a reliable Premier League striker under the guidance of one of the league’s biggest clubs.
His debut season with the Blues was a bit of a nightmare though. The team finished 10th and trophyless in a season in which they were expected to take the next step. On the other hand, at an individual level, Delap scored just three goals and merely one in the Premier League.
Those numbers make for uncomfortable reading. For a player signed with genuine hope and expectation, such a return is well below what Chelsea would have wanted. It also raises legitimate questions about whether he is ready for the demands of a top-half Premier League side.
Of course, those numbers are very similar to what Yoane Wissa produced in a Newcastle United shirt. So, do the Magpies need another striker who is out of form?
Nick Woltemade has faced his problems as well since joining Newcastle United. He started off well with four goals in his first five Premier League games but managed only 11 in total by the end of the season. The early promise faded, and consistency became an issue.
So, the Magpies definitely need a more consistent and prolific goalscorer. Is Delap the answer after what we have seen from him at Chelsea? That is the question supporters will be asking if interest becomes more concrete.
At this stage of the window, Newcastle cannot afford to keep missing out on targets. A striker who is at least open to the idea of a move represents a rare positive development. Whether the club chooses to act on that interest remains to be seen, but the fact that Delap is said to be keen is notable given the difficulties the Magpies have faced elsewhere.
Why things could work for Delap at Newcastle United
Signing Delap might have been a bad piece of recruitment and profile selection on the part of Chelsea more than anything else. At Ipswich Town, his best football came when he had space on offer, in my opinion.
Delap is the kind of striker who thrives when he has space to run in behind opposition defences. He has the physicality and pace to eat up those yards and cause problems. Those attributes were regularly on show during his time in the Championship and even in his early Premier League appearances with Ipswich.
At Chelsea, he was rarely in those situations, as teams are happy to sit back and defend against teams of that nature. The Blues often dominate possession and face low blocks, which limits the space available for a runner like Delap. In that environment, his strengths were blunted.
At Newcastle United, the situation might be a bit different and Delap could be more suited. Howe’s side still look to play with intensity and transition quickly when opportunities arise. There are moments in games where space opens up, particularly against mid-table and lower-half sides who are willing to leave gaps.
A player with Delap’s pace and power could exploit those situations more effectively than he was able to at Stamford Bridge. The style of play, the expectations, and the way Newcastle approach certain matches could allow him to rediscover the form that first brought him to prominence.
There is also the question of opportunity. At Chelsea, competition for places is fierce and the squad is stacked with attacking talent. At Newcastle, a new striker would likely be given a clearer pathway into the side, especially if the current options continue to struggle for consistency.
Of course, none of this guarantees success. Delap’s Premier League record remains thin, and there is always risk involved in signing a player who has just endured a difficult campaign. But the fit on paper looks more logical than it did at Chelsea.
For Newcastle, the final weeks of the window represent a chance to change the narrative of a difficult summer. Landing a striker who is actively open to joining would be a step in the right direction. Whether that player is Liam Delap or someone else, the Magpies need reinforcements who can actually deliver goals on a regular basis.
Supporters will be watching closely. After a series of rejected advances and missed targets, any positive movement on the striker front would be welcomed. Delap’s reported interest is the first real sign that not every player is turning away from St James’ Park this summer. That alone makes the story worth following as the deadline approaches.