Liam Delap Shines with Double in Ipswich Draw

Liam Delap a Manchester City academy graduate, made headlines with a Premier League double for Ipswich Town in their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. The 21-year-old striker, who joined Ipswich from City in a deal worth up to £20m continues his impressive start at Portman Road. Delap is the latest talent to emerge from City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS), a system designed to bridge the gap between the academy and first team.

Since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, Manchester City has generated over £500m from selling EDS and non-first-team players, helping the club comply with profit and sustainability regulations. Players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have successfully transitioned into City’s first team while others like Liam Delap, Morgan Rogers and Jamie Gittens have thrived at other clubs.

Rogers, who also spent time in City’s youth system has become a regular for Aston Villa and Gittens recently scored twice for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. City’s youth development system, once led by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, now focuses on treating the EDS as a “B team,” preparing players for elite-level football whether at City or elsewhere.

This system has produced numerous top talents with players like Jadon Sancho, Romeo Lavia and Brahim Diaz also finding success across Europe. City’s ability to nurture talent not only strengthens their squad but also serves as a significant revenue stream for the club.