UMVA has learned that incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has been advised to sell a second Chelsea player as he prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder takes charge of Chelsea in July after being appointed their new manager on a four-year contract. Alonso, who left Real Madrid in January and won the Bundesliga title at Bayer Leverkusen, emerged as Chelsea's top managerial target after a managerial change.
Alonso will hope to bolster his Chelsea squad with several summer signings but must also work on outgoings given the number of players at Stamford Bridge. A number of pundits have already urged Alonso to replace No. 1 goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend has also named Liam Delap as a player who should be moved on. Chelsea beat Manchester United and Newcastle United to a £30m deal for Delap 12 months ago, but he endured a miserable first season in west London, scoring just two goals.
Townsend believes it's in the interests of all parties for Delap to leave and says he has 'looked like a Championship player trying to cut it at a top Premier League team'. 'Liam at Chelsea, when compared to Ipswich, he's always looked a little inhibited,' Townsend said.
'Is it the way the team plays, or is it just being a higher-profile player now at a bigger club? Whenever he's come on as a sub, he's rarely had an impact. I've very rarely seen anything where I've thought, “Wow, now I can see what Chelsea have invested in.”'
Townsend suggested that a move to Everton could be beneficial for Delap, stating that they are desperate for a striker. 'Everton would love him if he goes in there and starts bashing in a few goals and starts looking like he's aggressive,' Townsend said.
Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has also questioned Delap's future at Stamford Bridge and suggested a summer move to Everton. 'I don’t see him going back to Ipswich,' Nevin said. 'Everton would be the obvious place – that looks absolutely nailed on.'
Nevin believes Delap would be perfect for Everton, stating that they need a certain type of player to hold up the ball, run the channels, and stretch the game. 'Delap would be perfect,' Nevin said. 'I don’t know if they’ll get him but Chelsea’s not the right place for him.'
