"People Need to Relax" – William Gallas Warns Fans Against Hyping Chelsea's Liam Delap as Harry Kane’s Successor

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has urged caution over the growing hype surrounding young striker Liam Delap, as the 21-year-old begins to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.

Delap joined Chelsea at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season after the Blues triggered his £30 million release clause. The move followed an impressive campaign at Ipswich Town, where the striker’s goals played a huge role in helping them achieve a top-half finish in the league.

Since arriving at Chelsea, Delap has been thrown straight into the pitch by manager Enzo Maresca and has shown glimpses of his potential. He made his debut in the FIFA Club World Cup against LAFC, coming off the bench to provide an assist in a 2-0 victory. The young forward has since started the next three matches, netting his first Chelsea goal against ES Tunis in the final group stage fixture.

But while the buzz around Delap continues to grow — with some even tipping him as England’s natural successor to Harry Kane — Gallas believes it’s too early for such bold claims.

“People are saying Liam Delap is Harry Kane’s replacement – but he’s still got a long way to go and people need to relax over him,” the former French international told reporters.

“He did well for Ipswich, but there’s more pressure now and we’ll have to wait and see how he handles it.”

Delap, the son of former Stoke City throw-in specialist Rory Delap, is widely seen as one of the brightest young attacking talents in English football. His physicality, eye for goal, and energy on the pitch have earned him praise from fans and pundits alike.

However, Gallas, who spent four years at Chelsea and knows the pressures of playing at the highest level, believes the jump from promising Championship striker to England’s next No.9 is a massive one.

“You need to prove yourself consistently at the top level before being compared to someone like Harry Kane. It’s not about one or two good games,” Gallas added.

The Blues, meanwhile, are hoping that Delap can continue his rise and eventually become a central figure under Maresca, who is known for developing young talent. With Chelsea looking to build a strong core of young English stars, Delap’s arrival fits their long-term vision — but Gallas’ warning serves as a timely reminder that pressure can mount quickly in football.