Why Chelsea FC should lead race for Liam Delap after changing transfer plans [Video]

There was an almost sympathetic smile on the face of Enzo Maresca as he explained why his two promising young centre-backs left Portman Road last night with empty pockets and no dinner money.

For 94 minutes here, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill were made to look lightweight by Liam Delap, whose individual performance was – sparing Cole Palmer’s four goals in one half against Brighton – perhaps the best in a Chelsea game this season.

“This is Liam,” Maresca said of the brilliant, bullying force that had led Ipswich Town to their first home win of the season, earning and scoring an early penalty, then brilliantly laying on the clinching goal for former Cobham academy boy Omari Hutchinson.

“In the first half we conceded a penalty and then we conceded one or two more chances in the same way; long ball for Liam, try to defend the ball and shoot,” Maresca said. “In the …