Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had already forewarned his team of the threat that Ipswich striker Liam Delap could pose to his team. It took just over 10 minutes for that warning to be correct.

The Blues went into the game against the Tractor Boys looking to bounce back from what were two disappointing results against Everton and Fulham. But Delap caused immediate problems and won a contentious penalty, which he dispatched to put Ipswich ahead after 12 minutes.

Replays appeared to show minimal contact from Filip Jorgensen on the striker, but the decision was checked and passed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The awarding of a penalty was not deemed as a clear and obvious error.

READ MORE: Liam Delap breaks silence on Ipswich Town transfer talk amid Chelsea 'interest'

READ MORE: Chelsea goalkeeper decision made as promising young left back eyed

Chances came and went for Chelsea as they looked to equalise but helped put the game to bed for Ipswich in the second half. He robbed the ball in midfield before providing the pass to Omari Hutchinson to make it 2-0.

That advantage proved to be too much to overturn for Chelsea. It means that they have taken one point from the last nine available, which may mean more eyes turn to the January window.

With just one goal in the last three games, focus may be on attacking areas of the pitch. While Nicolas Jackson has impressed so far this season, another natural striker is a position that Chelsea have been linked with.

Delap is one of the names to be linked in recent days, in the build-up to the game. He’s a player Maresca knows well due to the two working together with Manchester City’s development squad.

“Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age,” the Chelsea boss said ahead of the game. “I think we spent one year together, and I think he scored 22, 24 goals, and he is a very good striker.

“In England they have many like him and they have many good players, good strikers and he’s working hard off the ball, on the ball, he understands the game and can score goals. And also because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England.”

Reports suggest that despite only joining Ipswich in the summer, Chelsea are one of a few clubs showing an interest in the striker ahead of the January window. While Man City are reported to have a buy-back clause, there is also said to be a release clause for other clubs in his contract, although it’s not clear how much that is worth.

While Maresca already knew what to expect from Delap, his performance against Chelsea could just help convince the club to target the striker in the January window. It may have just been the perfect transfer audition for the 21-year-old.