'The other kids couldn’t handle him' - Liam Delap’s short journey from the classroom to scoring for Man City

In September, Manchester City faced Bournemouth in the third round of the Carabao Cup, securing an easy win. However, this match held special significance for a young player named Liam Delap.

To start off the scoring in that match, Phil Foden delivered a beautifully timed pass past the Cherries defense. Delap seized the opportunity and, without hesitation, fired the ball into the top right corner of the net.

The 18-year-old forward delivered an impressive performance, and the moment was even more special as Delap scored during his senior debut, becoming the youngest player to net a goal for City in seven years.

Mark Sellers, who served as Delap's Head of Physical Education during his secondary school years at Ecclesbourne School in Derby, shared his thoughts with the Manchester Evening News about the proud moment he experienced when he saw his former student score an impressive goal in his debut match.

Delap found the back of the net in his first game against Bournemouth in September 2020. -Credit: Getty Images

"I figured he was going to take another touch and maneuver around the goalkeeper, so I was surprised when he quickly shot the ball into the upper corner," Sellers mentioned. "One of my colleagues who trained Liam for several years contacted me immediately after."

He inquired whether I had noticed it, and I responded with, "Wow, that’s truly amazing." It was a moment of pride for all of us; it was wonderful to witness.

Delap became part of City's academy in 2019 after transferring from Derby County. Since then, he has made a name for himself as one of the club's most promising young talents, thanks to his impressive goal-scoring performances in the youth teams.

With an impressive total of 27 goals in just 26 games this season, Delap has made a significant impact. He is currently at the top of the Premier League 2 scoring rankings, holding a nine-goal advantage over his closest competitor.

While some players find it difficult to move up, Delap seemed to fit right into City's first team when he made his debut. Just a week later, he was granted a chance to play in the Premier League, coming off the bench in a match against Leicester.

Delap came on as a substitute for his first league match against Leicester. -Credit: 2020 Manchester City FC

Despite not being able to legally consume alcohol until February of this year, Delap left a remarkable mark when given a chance by Pep Guardiola, demonstrating that he was more than equipped to handle the challenges of professional football.

"He was significantly more physically robust than the other kids, and I vividly recall seeing him at 13 and thinking he looked like a grown man," Sellers said.

Other kids might have felt intimidated just by seeing his build and height, which is what truly set him apart.

Delap's strength, speed, and athleticism have led many to liken him to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward, a player that City is considering signing this summer, is said to have a price tag of £150 million set by Borussia Dortmund.

Guardiola responded to questions about a possible transfer for Haaland by saying, "Given the current prices, there's no way we can sign any strikers. It's just not feasible for us financially."

Liam Delap is seen accepting his Intermediate Boys Athletics Trophy from Headteacher Mr. James McNamara. Photo by Mark Sellers.

"We have some promising young talent in our academy," he continued. "Liam is currently practicing with our team, and he's performing exceptionally well. He has been doing fantastic work with the reserve squad. Next season, he'll be part of our team, training with us daily."

Is it possible that Guardiola is considering Delap as a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero? That could be the case, but for Sellers, who was teaching Delap in a classroom just a year and a half ago, it's a strange idea to entertain.

"It's hard to believe. We've seen some remarkable talents pass through our school in the past, but for Liam to be playing in the Premier League alongside stars like Pep, De Bruyne, and Aguero is truly incredible," Sellers remarked.

It's amazing to see him playing alongside such talented athletes during Match of the Day. Watching the highlight reels, you can tell he's had several chances to shine, and it feels fantastic.

In a humorous twist, Sellers recalled telling him, "If you stay by my side, I’ll help you become a star."

Delap's Year 11 photo - Photo by Mark Sellers

Delap is no stranger to being in the spotlight, being the son of Rory Delap, a former professional footballer who played for 15 years and made 487 appearances at a high level. "His parents did a wonderful job of keeping him humble," Sellers pointed out.

It's clear that Rory has experienced the journey firsthand and is familiar with the challenges of becoming a professional footballer. From what I've heard, his mother was also a skilled athlete in her own way.

Delap senior dedicated most of his professional life to Stoke City, where his signature long throw-in often created chaos in the opponent's scoring zone. While Delap junior hasn't picked up his father's unique throwing style yet, he has certainly inherited his athletic talent.

Liam was involved in rugby and also participated in athletics, where he showcased his impressive speed. He excelled in the 100 meters and 200 meters sprints and demonstrated remarkable distance in javelin throwing, a skill that his father also had during his school days.

"When we played rugby, my strategy was simple: I would pass the ball to Delap and encourage him by saying, 'Go for it, Liam, and score a try for us!'"

"He was incredibly fast and powerful, and the other kids just couldn’t keep up with him. It was usually a scene where 15 boys were running after Liam, who held a rugby ball. It was something to watch."

Sellers noted that Liam didn't only shine in sports during his time at school; he also did very well academically. He managed to juggle his football activities and his schoolwork effectively.

Delap secured victory in the relay for Nightingale House. Photo by Mark Sellers.

"Liam was exceptionally smart; he was quite the intelligent young man. He excelled in math and geography," Sellers remarked. "If he hadn’t pursued a career in football, he could have succeeded in any academic field he chose."

He’s incredibly focused, and he had endless opportunities ahead of him regarding what he could accomplish in life.

Certainly! Sellers' comments are still relevant to Delap in the football scene. Reports indicate that Real Madrid has reached out to his agents to show interest, while their scouts keep an eye on his development. This highlights Delap's significant potential.

It's very unlikely that Delap will leave the Etihad because the Blues have a lot of respect for him. However, as Sellers points out with a chuckle, the young striker hasn't always had a flashy lifestyle. He goes on to share another story about this.

"We were competing in a football match against a nearby school team in Derby, and I believe Liam was in Year 8 at the time," Sellers clarified.

We were down 3-1 in the second half, and Liam wasn't playing his best. I asked him, "What's going on, Liam?" He replied, "I need to get subbed!" I said, "Are you serious? We're losing, why would you want to come off?"

Delap participating in the Long Jump - Photo by Mark Sellers

He then mentioned that he needed to use the restroom, so I told him, 'Feel free to head over to the bushes.' He replied, 'I mean the bathroom, not that kind of spot!'

In the past, we would let the primary school use our fields, so I mentioned that he would need to head over there to use their restroom. Fortunately, he did, but when he got back, we were still down by two goals.

He comes back into the match with just 10 minutes left on the clock, and we’re trailing 3-1. In an incredible turn of events, with just seconds to spare, we actually pulled off a stunning comeback to win 4-3, and Liam was the one who scored all four of our goals!

Fortunately, Delap managed to steer clear of a situation similar to Gary Lineker's infamous moment. However, if he can replicate the impressive goal-scoring feats achieved by the former Barcelona, Tottenham, and England star, he is on track for an outstanding career.

"He was incredibly competitive during his school years, even on sports day. He aimed to earn the award for accumulating the highest points across all the events. He was quite a driven young man," Sellers remarked.

Phil Foden, Tommy Doyle, and Delap joyfully celebrate with the Carabao Cup Trophy. -Photo by Getty Images

To reach the highest level, as only a handful of these young athletes do, you have to be incredibly determined. He has played for England at various stages, and it would be fantastic to see him in an England jersey, stepping onto the field with the Three Lions emblem.

Delap's rapid ascent and natural ability indicate that his potential is still limitless, and with Guardiola's guidance, he has plenty of room for improvement.

No matter what comes next for Delap in his growing career, Sellers wants to encourage his former student to stay true to his commitments.

"Everyone in the school community takes great pride in Liam's achievements, but there is one thing we’ve requested from him: a signed Manchester City jersey," Sellers commented.

"We're really proud of you, Liam, but remember to bring the signed shirt!"

*This piece was first published in May 2021.*