Outside of Chelsea, not too many people are familiar with the club’s co-director of recruitment and talent, Joe Shields.
- However, those who do follow Chelsea quickly found themselves showing their appreciation for the work that he has done at Cobham since arriving from Southampton.
- Joe Shields has been credited for the signing of Cole Palmer after working with the attacking midfielder at Manchester City.
- He is also thought to have had a role in the arrivals of Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho, who are formerly of City as well.
- It now looks like the Chelsea director could push his club to sign another former City player.
- Delap played for City before they sold the striker to Ipswich Town for £20m in the summer. There, the 21-year-old has made a real impression.
- In his first 11 Premier League appearances this season, Delap has scored six goals, which is one fewer than what Chelsea’s first-choice No.9, Nicolas Jackson, has managed.
- According to journalist Simon Phillips, Shields is now pushing the Blues to sign the England U21 international.
- Discussing Chelsea’s interest in Delap on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, Phillips said: “Sources have said that Joe Shields is pushing the interest and is a big fan of the player.”
