Delap loses number nine shirt & trains away from first team

What the report says

Chelsea have moved Liam Delap into a separate training group at Cobham and taken away his number nine shirt, according to BBC Sport Football. The striker is among several players being kept apart from the main squad as the club tries to manage a large roster before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.

The BBC reports that Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk are also training away from the first team, alongside other players who could leave in the coming weeks. Club sources told BBC Sport this is not being handled in the same way as last season’s more forceful sidelining of fringe players, which drew concern from the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The smaller group is training near the main squad at Chelsea’s Cobham base, and the setup still appears flexible, with academy players involved and movement between groups possible. The article says the club has around 40 senior players and wants to reduce that number before the deadline.

Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer in a deal worth £30m, but had a limited first season, scoring once in 28 Premier League appearances. BBC Sport says the number nine shirt has now been given to Joao Pedro. The report also notes Chelsea have set asking prices for some players, including £65m for Jackson and £50m for Delap, underscoring the club’s active efforts to reshape the squad.