Liam Delap has not only scored but also helped put Chelsea in a profitable position.
This is particularly true regarding the £30 million fee paid for the striker just three weeks ago from Ipswich.
Delap netted his initial goal for the Blues during their 3-0 victory against ES Tunis, which secured their spot in the Club World Cup knockout rounds.
Advancing to the Round of 16 has already guaranteed Chelsea £33.8 million from the tournament.
This amount comfortably exceeds the 22-year-old`s transfer cost, providing a surplus of £3.8 million.
However, this surplus only covers roughly the first eight months of Delap`s salary.
The former England U21 international agreed to a contract at Stamford Bridge reportedly worth about £100,000 per week, totaling £5.2 million annually until 2031.
Chelsea earned an initial £25 million from the CWC simply for participating, without needing to exert themselves in the intense US heat.
This initial sum was guaranteed just for entering the 64-team competition.
The Blues then suffered a setback, getting nothing tangible from their first Group D match where Flamengo came from behind to win 3-1.
However, subsequent victories against Los Angeles and Tunis added £1.5 million each.
This totals £3 million, boosted by an additional £5.8 million for progressing to the knockout stage.
This represents significant earnings, arriving shortly after the signing of a forward known for his robust and assertive style of play.
Delap appears to relish the physical and assertive aspects of the game, often seen in traditional target strikers.
He commented, “Yes, I love those battles. I`ve always enjoyed them since I was a kid.
“I really appreciate the aggressive elements of the game and the competitive atmosphere within the squad.
“While it sometimes needs to be controlled, ultimately, it`s my natural game, and I find it enjoyable.”
Furthermore, he seems unfazed by Chelsea assigning him the famous No. 9 shirt.
Several high-profile players, including Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, and Romelu Lukaku, previously faced difficulties while wearing that shirt for the Blues.
However, Delap told talkSPORT, “I chose it myself. Ultimately, it`s just a number on the back of your jersey.
“The number nine has always been linked with strikers, which I like, but I don`t feel any pressure from it.”
Naturally, it`s premature to determine if Delap will succeed while wearing that number.
Nevertheless, from a financial perspective, his presence is already proving beneficial for Chelsea.
