Liam Delap, Nottingham Forest’s new signing for a club-record fee of £45 million, reminisces about his childhood duels with his younger brother Finn in their backyard. The two have transitioned from fierce competitors to each other’s strongest supporters; Liam was present for Finn’s recent triumph with Burton in the third tier. Reflecting on their youth, Liam recalls those playful skirmishes often ending in tears or disputes, whether they were playing Monopoly or football. “It usually resulted in either flipping the game board or a good old fight,” he laughs.
Delap’s competitive nature remains intact as he aims to make an impact at Forest, with a potential full debut against Tottenham on Saturday. His last 16 months have been challenging; he departed Chelsea after just one season into a six-year contract, managing only one goal in 28 Premier League appearances, with just a dozen starts. “The journey to the top is rarely straightforward,” Delap notes, gesturing animatedly in the City Ground boardroom, the historic European Cups gleaming behind him. “I want to concentrate, work hard, and continue to grow, as I still have much to learn. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been in football longer than I actually have. Thankfully, I have a promising career ahead.”
Delap acknowledges that setbacks are part of the journey. “You have to accept that sometimes things don’t go your way, but they can ultimately turn out to be beneficial,” he reflects. His initial loan spells at Stoke and Preston last season were less than successful, yet he considers that experience invaluable. This led to a more fruitful loan at Hull during the current season. “I’m still learning and facing the usual ups and downs. Injuries and lack of play are part of the game, but I don’t see it as a loss. Everyone encounters tough times, and I need to use those experiences to grow.”
Last summer, Delap was a highly sought-after player, with Oliver Glasner recounting how he received interest from 18 Premier League clubs. Delap participated in various Zoom meetings with top-flight managers while deciding his future, including one with Glasner, who was then with Crystal Palace. “It was a difficult choice,” Delap recalls. “I was impressed by Glasner’s conversation; he spoke exceptionally well and demonstrated a strong track record with strikers, which resonated with me.”
Glasner aims to leverage Delap’s strengths, emphasizing his physicality and finishing ability, rather than his lesser-known talent for mathematics. Earlier this year, a video of Delap’s math skills gained popularity online. “I never enjoyed math, but I was decent at it. A school friend helped me grasp it, and I retained that knowledge despite disliking schoolwork,” he confesses.
Glasner noted that Delap’s experiences over the past year have shaped his outlook. “He demonstrated a clear desire to align with a team that appreciates his strengths. I don’t believe in altering a player’s natural game; that approach is counterproductive.”
With 12 goals in a struggling Ipswich side during the 2024-25 season, Delap garnered significant attention and was discussed as a potential successor to Harry Kane for England’s No. 9 position. He has represented his country at various youth levels and played alongside Jude Bellingham in the under-16 setup. “As a child, playing for my country was always the goal. That’s where I aspire to be, but it requires hard work and improvement,” he states.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 2in, Delap has been viewed as a future star since his early days. He played a key role in Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea in 2020, shortly after Pep Guardiola handed him his senior debut at age 17. His former youth teammates include Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Aston Villa’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, among others.
Delap reminisces about his connection with McAtee, a close friend and teammate. “He often played as a No. 10 and would frequently pass the ball to me. Our strong off-field relationship translated well onto the pitch, and we shared a drive to win that instilled a competitive spirit in all of us.” He notes that many of his former teammates have found success in the Premier League or abroad, attributing their achievements to the mutual encouragement they provided one another.
Delap made his Forest debut as a substitute at Anfield last weekend, contributing to a penalty scored by Morgan Gibbs-White that helped secure a 2-2 draw. After the match, Glasner recognized the influence of Delap’s father, Rory, a former player for Southampton and Stoke, on his skills. “I mentioned to him that his father would be proud,” Glasner remarked. When asked if he possesses a strong throw-in like his father, Delap humbly replies, “Not really. I see myself as a striker, and my focus is to be in the box.”
Delap thrives in competitive situations, and Glasner appreciates how he confronts defenders effectively, noting that defenders are not always friendly during matches. Delap, who spent a decade at Derby before moving to Manchester City, is eager to continue proving himself at Forest.
