Delap will be a summer target for top-flight giants, regardless of whether he is able to help Ipswich pull off a great escape.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink knows from working as a strikers coach under ex-England boss Gareth Southgate how few No 9s there are in the domestic game — and why £50million-rated Delap catches the eye.
But the ex-hitman told SunSport: "With Delap, I know big clubs are looking at him.
"Ipswich look like they are going down. He needs to stay in the Premier League.
"If he's playing in a more established Premier League team, what can he deliver?
"It's important that he plays. If he's going to be second choice — if I'm his agent, I'd advise him not to go."
Hasselbaink, 52, scored 127 Prem goals for Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Charlton.
The Dutchman's career in this country overlapped with a number of English centre-forwards — Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Andrew Cole, Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen and Les Ferdinand.
But English No 9s are a dying breed. Under-21 ace Delap was bubbling with enthusiasm after training with Three Lions captain Harry Kane for the first time last week.
Between Delap, 22, and Kane, 31, there are not a lot of international-level English centre-forwards.
New Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel picked Dominic Solanke and Marcus Rashford, both 27, ahead of Delap, with 29-year-old Ollie Watkins injured.
Hasselbaink rates Watkins and Solanke highly.
But he told Gambling Zone: "They need to show consistency to put pressure on Harry Kane.
"Kane needs to feel his place can be taken. That is healthy."
Delap is the third highest-scoring English-man in the Prem, with ten, behind Cole Palmer (14) and Watkins (13).
Kevin Betsy was Delap's head coach for four years with England's youth teams.
During Betsy's time at the FA, it was recognised that English football was not producing as many centre-forwards as before and he conducted his own study into the issue.
Betsy recognised aspects of the academy system were hampering the emergence of more strikers like Delap.
First, there was a broader backlash against early developers like Delap, who dominated in youth football.
Some coaches — in their determination to give smaller, more technical, youngsters the chance to blossom later — went too far the other way.
Betsy, now a first-team coach at QPR, said "The result was a lot of No 10s were created, like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, and not so many No 9s."
Many clubs are now aware of that issue and of the need for more striker-specific coaching.
And Hasselbaink said: "The good old-fashioned No 9s are not in fashion.
"But because football is always in cycles, they will come back."
Until they do, players like Delap will attract huge attention — and fees to match.
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Marcus Rashford is targeting a club playing in the Champions League for his next move, a source has told ESPN.The forward, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, is set to delay a decision on his future until after the end of the season.Villa have an agreement with United to make his loan move permanent for a £40 million ($53m) fee, although a source has told ESPN that they are yet to...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Good bye Farewell !?Saka last night Do you remember this moment ?Totttenham 1-2 N ForestOne thing rival fans are agreeing on in the Premier League this season Fede Valverde is the master of scoring golazos Find Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, originaltrollfootball)...
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga