Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin has urged Liam Delap to reconsider Everton after the striker’s prospects at Stamford Bridge diminished following a turbulent season of managerial upheaval.
The 22-year-old forward impressed during his debut Premier League campaign with Ipswich Town, finding the net 12 times before the club’s immediate return to the Championship. A £30million release clause in his contract, triggered by relegation, opened the door for interested parties to negotiate.
Everton had pursued Delap during the previous transfer window, with manager David Moyes making the unusual public declaration of his admiration for the player. Following face-to-face discussions, Moyes acknowledged their pitch but conceded they were trailing behind other suitors, expressing cautious optimism about their chances.
Despite Everton’s efforts, Delap opted for Chelsea, attracted by the prospect of Champions League competition and working once again under Enzo Maresca, who had previously coached him during his Manchester City youth career. However, Maresca departed on New Year’s Day, and the west London club subsequently dismissed Liam Rosenior less than four months after awarding him a six-and-a-half-year contract. Xabi Alonso now occupies the managerial position, with Danny Welbeck added to the squad.
With Chelsea seeking to reduce their inflated squad numbers, Delap is free to depart, though the club expects to recoup a profit and has placed a £40million asking price on his head. A potential move to Everton at that valuation would establish the Winchester-born striker as the most expensive forward in the club’s history. Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, signed for £45million almost nine years ago, remains Everton’s record purchase, while Richarlison and Tyler Dibling each arrived for initial fees of £35million.
An alternative arrangement could involve a temporary switch to Goodison Park, yet Nevin remains convinced Delap represents an ideal match for what the manager requires.
Nevin, who departed Chelsea for Everton in a £925,000 transfer in 1988 and accumulated 150 appearances and 21 goals across four seasons, expressed his unwavering belief that Goodison Park would have suited Delap better. The Scotland international considers the player perfectly suited to Moyes’s preferred style and questions whether he complements Chelsea’s recent tactical approach.
He admires Delap’s energy and pressing ability, believing he would have flourished in a more advanced role behind the striker during his own playing days. Nevin highlights Delap’s willingness to engage physically, unsettle opponents, and generate space for colleagues. While acknowledging his finishing capability when provided with sufficient opportunities, he suggests those chances were insufficient during his time in west London.
Nevin regards Delap as embodying everything Everton seek in a player and believes he requires being the central figure with consistent match exposure to truly excel. Despite acknowledging the forward might ultimately choose an alternative destination given widespread interest across the division, Nevin holds out hope for a potential reunion at Goodison Park, admitting partial personal bias while emphasising his genuine admiration for both the player and the manager.
Nevin expressed surprise at Everton’s failure to conclude negotiations with Celtic for Alistair Johnston, though the Canadian international now faces approximately six weeks absence due to a hamstring problem. The 62-year-old anticipates Moyes will eventually address the club’s persistent right-back deficiency, despite possessing Nathan Patterson, a Scottish international who has demonstrated superior form during national team duty compared to his club performances. Nevin expects Moyes to prioritise acquiring a specialist for the position, though he doubts any arrival will match Seamus Coleman’s contribution and legendary status at the club.