Liam Delap has reflected on his difficult spell at Chelsea after leaving Stamford Bridge for Nottingham Forest, admitting that being separated from the first-team group during pre-season was an unpleasant experience.

The striker joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer after the Blues activated his £30million release clause.

However, he struggled to make the desired impact in west London and was subsequently sold to Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £50million.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Delap has made it clear that he does not regret choosing Chelsea, insisting the experience has helped him develop both on and off the pitch.

Delap Opens Up on Chelsea’s ‘Bomb Squad’

Delap was among a group of players who trained separately from Chelsea’s main first-team squad while the club worked on departures during the summer transfer window.

The arrangement meant the forward was not regularly training alongside new manager Xabi Alonso and the players expected to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Delap acknowledged that the experience was difficult but explained that the support of those around him helped him manage the situation.

“Obviously it’s a bit rubbish going to train away from the group, but I think I’ve got really good people around me,” Delap said.

The 23-year-old also highlighted the influence of his father, former professional footballer Rory Delap, in helping him deal with the uncertainty.

“My dad [Rory, the former Stoke and Ireland midfielder] has been through it all, and you hear everything that happens in football, so nothing surprises you.

“That good culture that I’ve got around me helped and it’s just about keeping your head down. Only do what you can do right because if you do something bad then it will only be negative on you.”

Chelsea’s use of separate training groups attracted attention as the club sought to reduce the size of its squad. Delap’s departure eventually brought an end to a challenging year in which he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.

Delap Insists He Has No Regrets About Chelsea Move

Although his time at Chelsea did not unfold as expected, Delap has rejected the idea that joining the club was a mistake.

Manchester United and Everton were among the sides reportedly interested in signing him after his performances for Ipswich in the Premier League attracted attention.

Chelsea ultimately won the race for his signature, but the striker found opportunities difficult to secure and finished his spell with three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions.

Reflecting on his career so far, Delap explained that difficult experiences can still provide valuable lessons.

“You have your ups and downs, and I’ll never regret doing anything because it just shapes me as a person,” Delap said.

He also pointed to previous loan spells as examples of how setbacks can contribute to his development.

“I’m still only young and not everyone is on a linear path. I learned so much from Chelsea. Even when I was on loan at Stoke and Preston, they didn’t work out football-wise but they taught me so much.

“Sometimes you learn and benefit more when things are not going well.”