THE reason why Liam Delap snubbed Manchester United in favour of Chelsea has reportedly been revealed.
Delap, 22, is set to join the Blues and the deal could be announced as early as next week.
Chelsea will trigger the £30million buy option in the Ipswich striker’s contract, which became available following their relegation from the Premier League.
The fee and personal terms were not going to be an issue for Man Utd – but Delap has opted for a move to Stamford Bridge instead.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that the player has chosen Chelsea due to their former boss Thomas Tuchel.
He claims that the England manager told Delap that playing in the Champions League would boost his chances of making the Three Lions squad heading to next summer’s World Cup.
And those words appear to have helped him make up his mind.
Everton were also in for Delap, but like the Red Devils, they could also not offer European football.
Man Utd fans reacted: “Did Tuchel forget to tell him he needs to be actually playing in the Champions League not sitting on the bench.”
Another added: “He made the wrong decision, if he performed as the main man in the United shirt he would definitely get the call up.”
A third wrote: “Politics in football because he has coached Chelsea before.”
Delap scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich this season.
He is set to battle the likes of Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke to be Harry Kane’s understudy at the World Cup.
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