Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has shed light on Liam Delap's recent transfer from Chelsea. The club engaged in discussions with the forward for several days, convincing him that joining Forest was the ideal progression for his career right now.
Glasner elaborated on the talks with Delap:
To be honest, we spoke for a few days. We tried to persuade Liam and clearly showed him that Nottingham Forest is the right club at the right moment in his career.
The Forest boss highlighted that the club was actively searching for a striker with Delap's attributes:
Before his move to Chelsea, following a fantastic season at Ipswich, every Premier League club wanted Liam. When we found out he was available, we were specifically looking for a striker — someone powerful, quick, and capable of making those runs behind defenders.
We already have Chris Wood, a great forward in the box and a proven Premier League goalscorer. Then there's Igor Jesus, who we deploy more like a classic number nine. We needed a different type of striker, and Liam fits the bill perfectly. We are the perfect club for him, and he, I’m sure, is the ideal player for us.
Glasner also explained why a change of scenery could be beneficial for Delap following a tough spell at Chelsea:
I think he had a difficult season at Chelsea, with expectations much higher — primarily his own. In recent weeks, he wasn't even allowed to train with the first team; he had been placed in a separate training group.
Clearly, he needed to find a club where he could get more playing time and reboot his career. We believe that Forest is the right place for him. With our style of play, it will be easier for him to utilise his strengths. Liam needs a bit of space, as his main qualities are his power and finishing ability.
Glasner was also impressed with Delap’s attitude during their personal discussions:
What convinced us was not just his playing profile but his character. He is hungry for football, eager to improve, and ready to take the next step. That’s exactly the kind of player we are looking for — driven and ambitious. This entire set of qualities was incredibly appealing to us.
