Liam Delap reacts to Chelsea No.9 ‘curse’

Liam Delap has revealed that his decision to join Chelsea was driven by instinct, dismissing the club’s infamous No.9 shirt curse as irrelevant to his ambitions.

The 22-year-old striker expressed confidence that the superstition surrounding the shirt, which has been linked to a string of high-profile players’ struggles, won’t affect his performance at Stamford Bridge.

The young forward was highly sought after at the end of the 2024–25 Premier League season, after scoring 12 goals for Ipswich Town.

Despite his impressive form, his transfer fee was modest at £30 million due to a relegation clause. Chelsea emerged as the winning bidder on June 4, edging out other Premier League giants like Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest.

His move to Chelsea allowed Delap to be registered during FIFA’s early transfer window, making him eligible for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Since arriving, he has made an impact in two appearances and is expected to start again in the third group game against ES Tunis due to a suspension to Nicolas Jackson.

To participate in the tournament, Delap sacrificed his chance to play for England in the Under-21 European Championship, a decision he explained was well thought out.

Despite only 90 minutes of competitive action, Delap has not been fazed by the curse that has plagued Chelsea’s No.9 shirt for over two decades, which has claimed players like Fernando Torres, Hernán Crespo, and Romelu Lukaku.

He remains unbothered by the superstition, stating, “It’s something that people speculate about, but it doesn’t mean anything to me.”

Looking ahead, Delap emphasized his focus on settling into the team and contributing to Chelsea’s season. He highlighted the importance of team bonding and preparation.

“I need to get to know everyone. I’m with the boys all the time, it helps me settle in really fast and we can prepare and work on things for the season”, Liam Delap stated.

His confident attitude signals a new chapter, free from superstitions that have historically haunted the iconic shirt.