Liam Delap leaves pitch in agony using shirt as a sling in brutal Chelsea injury blow

Dec 6, 2025 - 16:15

Liam Delap was forced off with a shoulder injury in Chelsea’s clash at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old tussled with Cherries defender Marcos Senesi with both players falling to the ground.

Liam Delap reacts after suffering an injury at Bournemouth — Delap required instant medical treatment after hitting the deck at the Vitality Stadium

Delap leaving the Vitality Stadium pitch due to injury — Delap walked off the pitch using his shirt as a makeshift sling

However, Senesi was unable to break his fall and landed on top of the Chelsea striker who landed awkwardly on his shoulder.

VAR officials intervened, but at further glance saw no reason to penalise Senesi, with the view being that the coming together was mutual holding.

Blues blow

Delap was seen wincing after the incident and Chelsea took no risks with their summer signing by replacing him in the 32nd minute for Marc Guiu.

As he walked of the pitch, Delap was seen using his shirt as a makeshift sling in what could be a possible dislocation.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be hoping Delap’s injury is not a serious one with the centre-forward having recently returned from a serious hamstring injury.

He even found the back of the net for the first time in Chelsea colours in the 3-0 home victory over Barcelona in the Champions League last month.

It’s his only goal from 11 appearances in all competitions – eight of which have come in the Premier League.

Maresca retains his faith in Delap

Speaking of the ex-Ipswich star on Friday, Maresca said: “I think he is getting better.

“And the other day against Leeds, he had two or three chances where he could have done better.

“I know Liam from many years ago at Manchester City, and I don’t have any doubts that he will score goals and be important for us.”

Liam Delap wincing in pain after suffering a shoulder injury — Delap now faces another spell on the sidelines having only come back from a hamstring knock

Enzo Maresca during his pre-match Chelsea press conference — Maresca reaffirmed his backing for the 22-year-old on Friday

Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich in June in a £30million deal with the Blues triggering his relegation release clause ahead of the Club World Cup.

He netted his first goal of the season in last month’s 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.

He is locked in a two-way battle with Joao Pedro to lead Chelsea’s attack but may now face a spell on the sidelines.

The injury is an ill-timed one for the west London club with a busy festive period looming.

Maresca’s side face six further fixtures before the end of the year with key fixtures in the EFL Cup, Champions League and Premier League.

Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek before Everton head to Stamford Bridge next weekend.

And in the battle for the top four, Chelsea may have to do without Delap for the clashes with Newcastle and Aston Villa in December and Manchester City in early January.