Gabby Agbonlahor says £30m striker regrets Chelsea move after Ipswich success

Gabby Agbonlahor: Delap’s Chelsea move was a mistake

Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor believes that Liam Delap made a poor career decision by leaving Ipswich Town for Chelsea, despite the Premier League club paying his £30 million release clause.

From Ipswich hero to Chelsea uncertainty

Chelsea triggered Delap’s clause after his impressive form for the Tractor Boys, where he was key in their attacking play during the first half of the season. However, since moving to Stamford Bridge, Delap has struggled to earn consistent minutes, facing tough competition from other forwards.

Agbonlahor argued that a longer stay in Ipswich might have been better for the young striker’s development, allowing him to mature in a team where he already had trust and rhythm.

Agbonlahor’s warning about big-club moves

In an interview, Agbonlahor commented:

“He was flying at Ipswich, scoring and enjoying his football. Going to Chelsea, he’s probably sitting on the bench now. It’s hard for young players when they leave smaller clubs too early.”

He added that players often underestimate the difficulty of breaking into elite starting lineups, noting examples of other prospects who lost momentum after moving too soon.

Chelsea’s long-term vision questioned

While Chelsea fans hope Delap will adapt and grow under the club’s long-term project, critics like Agbonlahor suggest the pattern mirrors other signings who failed to live up to their promise due to limited game time and constant managerial changes.

“Sometimes you’ve got to keep playing regularly rather than chasing the big move,” Agbonlahor concluded.

Author’s summary: Gabby Agbonlahor said Liam Delap’s £30m transfer from Ipswich Town to Chelsea was premature, limiting his growth and reducing valuable playing time despite early promise.

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Metro on MSN Metro on MSN — 2025-11-30

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