Rory Delap: Liam’s England World Cup dream depends on Chelsea goals

• Rory Delap speaks to Ladbrokes about son Liam Delap's Chelsea move and England hopes

• The former Stoke midfielder says the striker can come back firing after the international break

• Rory insists making the World Cup squad is not in Liam's control and should focus on impressing for Chelsea

Rory Delap speaks exclusively to Ladbrokes about his son Liam's start to life at Chelsea and his hopes of making England's World Cup 2026 squad.

If he does really well for Chelsea this season, one game at a time, and scores a lot of goals, then he’ll have a chance of making the squad.

Chelsea move, Club World Cup and injury blow

Liam [Delap] got a great move in the summer to a huge club in Chelsea, and he obviously finished last season at the Club World Cup with them, out in America, and did really well out there. Then I thought he started the season well, before picking up an injury against Fulham. He played his first 60 minutes or so on Saturday since coming back from that injury, and he doesn’t look fully sharp yet, but he’s close. I think he looked a lot better, and will be better for that hour in his legs.

I think for him now, the focus has got to be on the short term and getting that sharpness back. The club have been brilliant with him with this injury, and he was able to get himself back to full fitness earlier than expected, which is always pleasing. At the same time, though, as his parents, it’s always worrying in football when they’re coming back from injuries  - but the most important thing is that he’s confident in his rehab, and how he’s feeling.

It was great to see him back out there, and now about finding that match sharpness and building on his performances. The team is playing well at the minute, and I was at the Wolves game the other day, where it always felt like the first goal was going to be massive, and it proved to be decisive.

For Liam, I think this international break will do him well; he’ll get a lot of time on the training pitch over the next couple of weeks, before the next game against Burnley. His focus has got to be on that.

Giving advice to sons Liam and Finn

I try not to give him too much advice to be honest; I’ve always said this, but I just want to be a dad to him and his brother Finn, who is at Burton Albion. The most important thing with the pair of them from a young age was making sure the work ethic was there, and that they knew what they were getting into in terms of the sacrifices you have to make in this game.

I never want to give them advice, because I don’t know what they’re being told by their coaches – I’ve been on the other side of that as a coach, and there’s nothing worse… all you want them to do is what their coach has asked them to do; it doesn’t matter what you think.

I try not to talk too much football, but it’s hard when both of the boys are in the game… I’m sure my wife and daughter get bored of it! I hope he knows I’m here if he ever needs advice, I’ll give it to him. But both boys have got strong heads on their shoulders and they know what they want and where they can go if they put in the hard work.

Not talking about the World Cup squad... for now

We’re pleased with Liam, of course, but we aren’t talking or thinking about the World Cup. It’s very much about focusing on here and now.

If he does really well for Chelsea this season, one game at a time, and scores a lot of goals, then he’ll have a chance of making the squad. If he doesn’t, he won’t, and he knows that. It’s as simple as that.

I always talk about the 'controllables' in football; at the moment, that decision is out of his control. What’s in his control is his performances for Chelsea.

Despite being out of the England picture as it stands, Liam remains one of our outsiders to make England's World Cup squad ahead of next summer's tournament.

We also picked our XI to face Serbia on Thursday from the squad Thomas Tuchel currently has at his disposal, as well as selecting our best betting tips for the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.