Delap dares to defy Chelsea's No.9 curse

Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town on Wednesday, signed a deal that ties him to the club until 2031.

The young striker's decision comes two years after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last wore the jersey, which has long been associated with big-name flops at Stamford Bridge, from Romelu Lukaku to Fernando Torres and Alvaro Morata.

 The 22-year-old arrives off the back of a strong campaign in the top flight, where he found the net 12 times. His performances were enough to convince Chelsea to invest in his potential — and to hand him one of football's most talked-about numbers.

The No.9 shirt at Chelsea has developed a reputation of its own over the past two decades, with several high-profile strikers arriving with great expectations only to falter under the weight of the role.

Delap, however, appears undeterred by the history, signalling a quiet confidence as he prepares to lead the line for a side eager to reestablish themselves among England's elite.

Whether he breaks the supposed curse or becomes its latest victim remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the story of the Blues' No.9 is far from over.