John Terry explains why Chelsea signed Delap over Super Eagles star Osimhen

Osimhen, currently with Napoli, has been strongly linked with a Premier League move, with Chelsea reportedly keen on acquiring him last summer.

However, that deal never materialised, and Chelsea has since explored other options, including Delap, who impressed on loan at Ipswich Town this season.

In a recent interview with TalkSPORT, as quoted by Football London, Terry praised Chelsea's current striker Nicolas Jackson, highlighting his ability to play off the shoulder of the last defender.

"As a defender, that's a nightmare — it opens up space. I like Nico," Terry remarked.

Terry then addressed Chelsea's broader attacking needs, suggesting the club prefers younger players with proven Premier League goalscoring records.

"If you are looking at the next step, you need someone proven and who has scored goals in the Premier League," he added.

"Usually that's an experienced player, but the owners are clear — they don't want to bring in someone of 29, 30 years of age on big money. It's a different model. I personally feel we need that."

While Chelsea were reportedly willing to meet Osimhen's €70 million release clause, the deal apparently stalled due to the striker's high wage demands. This has become a significant concern for a club operating under tighter financial constraints.

Chelsea has reportedly shifted their focus to the 22-year-old Delap. Despite Ipswich Town's relegation to the Championship, Delap managed 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances during the 2024-25 season. He is viewed as a more financially viable option with existing Premier League experience.

Although Terry didn't explicitly mention either player, his comments offer insight into Chelsea's potential reasoning for favouring Delap over Osimhen.