Chelsea Look to Beat Rivals in Move for Delap and Huijsen This June | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Club World Cup Push Risks Summer Tug-of-War Over Delap and Huijsen

Club Ambition vs. National Duty

As Chelsea sharpen their summer transfer strategy, a classic club-versus-country dilemma is emerging. Two of the brightest young prospects in Europe—Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen—have found themselves at the centre of a growing storm, with Chelsea keen to secure both ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in June, as per The Mirror.

Delap, currently at Ipswich Town, and Huijsen, on loan at Bournemouth, are lined up to feature for England and Spain respectively at the U21 European Championships in Slovakia. Yet if Chelsea succeed in landing the pair early in the window, the nations may find themselves powerless to stop them joining their new club’s campaign in the United States.

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“Per FIFA rules, it’s not mandatory for clubs participating in the 32-team tournament in the United States to release their players for international duty.”

That clause hands significant power back to clubs, especially with FIFA dangling a £775 million prize pot to entice full-strength squads.

Fierce Market and New Transfer Window

According to The Mirror, Chelsea intend to waste no time in their recruitment. “Sources indicate Chelsea are planning to make a fast start to their summer business,” with Delap’s £30 million relegation clause and Huijsen’s £50 million buyout already under scrutiny at Stamford Bridge.

Their competition is formidable. Delap is also on Manchester United’s radar. A switch to Old Trafford would allow him to feature for England at the U21 Euros—something that may tip the balance in the Red Devils’ favour. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Arsenal are circling around Huijsen, although both clubs have alternative targets in Jorrel Hato, Jarrad Branthwaite and Marc Guehi.

Importantly, FIFA have green-lit a bespoke transfer window between 1 and 10 June exclusively for Club World Cup participants, allowing clubs to finalise deals and register new recruits ahead of the 15 June kick-off.

FA Dialogue and Player Development Balancing Act

The Mirror’s report adds: “Both Chelsea and City are expected to hold talks with the FA and other respective national team federations in due course over the potential availability of their stars.”

Chelsea and Manchester City are clearly being encouraged to field their best line-ups, with the new tournament doubling up as pre-season prep. The Blues’ boss Enzo Maresca reportedly plans to run the rule over his youthful depth, including Kendry Paez, Andrey Santos and Mamadou Sarr.

The dilemma is clearest for England U21 coach Lee Carsley, whose title defence could be affected. “That would also impact Three Lions U21 boss Lee Carsley if he wanted to select Manchester City trio Rico Lewis, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly amid his quest to defend the trophy.”

One such player, McAtee, isn’t hiding his ambition: “He would let Pep Guardiola decide his destiny, outlining his desire to feature at both competitions, if possible.”

But the brutal calendar may not allow such duality, especially with senior internationals competing from 2 to 10 June and the Club World Cup immediately following.

Power Struggles Brewing Across Federations

This is not simply a question of logistics, but principle. National federations still value their youth tournaments as vital development grounds, but club football—with its financial rewards and global reach—continues to tighten its grip.

There is nuance to be found. “If either club believes a player’s development would be better served at the U21 Euros, they can still release them to feature for their countries,” notes the report. But with no friendlies yet scheduled and the Club World Cup forming a centrepiece of pre-season, it’s easy to predict where loyalties will lie.

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Excited Chelsea Fan Opinion

It’s difficult not to feel a surge of anticipation as a Chelsea supporter reading this. The pursuit of Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen signals a clear intent under Maresca to blend youthful energy with elite ambition. £80 million for the pair is no small investment, but both have shown flashes of brilliance—Delap’s physicality and eye for goal at Ipswich, and Huijsen’s composed presence at the back with Bournemouth—mark them as future stars.

From a fan’s perspective, the Club World Cup offers not just prestige but opportunity. Seeing fresh faces like Kendry Paez and Andrey Santos alongside potential new arrivals is exciting. Yes, it may step on the toes of the U21 Euros, but if Chelsea want to lay the groundwork for a new era, now is the time.

Still, there’s a part of us that feels for Lee Carsley. Losing key players like Delap or McAtee could jeopardise England’s defence of their European crown. But modern football is a business first—and Chelsea’s business this summer looks sharp, strategic, and serious.