Chelsea star got banned from taking throw-ins because he was 'ruining the game'

Chelsea striker Liam Delap was banned from taking throw-ins as a child after drawing complaints from angry parents. The powerful forward is the son of Rory Delap, the former Stoke City man who was renowned for his incredible long-throws. He would launch the ball with such power and precision that opposing teams would sometimes kick it out for a corner, rather than into touch.

The younger Delap is a very different type of player, instead known for his goalscoring ability and bulldog-like approach to leading the line. He did inherit his father's talent for throwing, though, and excelled at javelin during his childhood. He also tried his hand at rugby, playing for his school team in Derby before committing to football.

It quickly became clear that Delap had massive potential and not only for his skills with the ball at his feet. He was tasked with taking throw-ins as a nine-year-old but was forced to stop, according to the Daily Mail.

The report states he would launch the ball so far that parents of other children would accuse him of 'ruining the game'. As a result, he was banned from taking them and has not attempted it since.

Delap initially modelled his game on his father, having watched him play for Stoke from a young age. He previously explained that his constant exposure to football helped him realise it was the sport he wanted to play for the rest of his life.

"Some of my earliest football memories are watching him playing and launching throw-ins for Stoke at the Britannia," said Delap.

"We tried to get to as many games as possible and I had a great upbringing in that I was so close to it all. It gave me that feeling of football early; it was incredible and something I wanted, but I knew it wouldn't be easy. I had to work hard for it."

Delap ended up on the books of Derby County, spending a decade in their academy before being snapped up by Manchester City. He showed plenty of promise at the Etihad Stadium but was unable to break into the first-team squad.

The striker enjoyed a number of productive loan spells in the EFL before he was signed by Ipswich Town at the start of last season. He exceeded expectations during his short time at Portman Road, scoring 12 goals in the Premier League.

His impressive form earned him a move to Chelsea, where he will be hoping to shine as the Blues target a top-four finish or even a title challenge.

Enzo Maresca is convinced that Delap has a bright future ahead of him, saying earlier this summer: "I don't have any doubt that he can be in the future England number nine.

"He knows exactly what we can give him, I know what Liam can give us. It's a win-win. We like Liam, Liam likes us, so it was an easy conversation."

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