Ireland wants a Chelsea player to join the Green Army, and O'Shea is using his family connection to try to make it happen.
Liam Delap has played in practically every category of the English youth national teams, from the Under-15 to the Under-21. However, in the latest international call-up, the young striker was not summoned by coach Thomas Tuchel.
Ireland fell just short of the World Cup on Thursday after losing on penalty kicks against the Czech Republic, following a 2-2 draw. PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar became the hero by saving two penalties.
Ireland is now trying to convince the Chelsea player to switch national allegiances and choose them, just as his father, Rory Delap, did previously, who ended up playing 13 international matches for the "Green Army." John O'Shea, a former teammate of Rory and assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland, has contacted Rory to talk about his son, according to the English newspaper The Sun.
O'Shea said, "As they say, the decision is Liam's. Let's wait and see what happens." Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson also stressed that the decision falls entirely on Liam Delap himself.
"He hasn't played for England yet, and it doesn't seem like he's going to play in the World Cup; in fact, that still seems very far off, but in the end, the decision is his," the coach explained.
Delap had a difficult start to his career at Chelsea after his transfer for $35 million from Ipswich Town, which was relegated to the Championship last summer. The former Manchester City player suffered a hamstring injury at the beginning of the season and has only scored two goals in 32 matches. The previous season at Ipswich, Delap scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League matches.
It will be a matter of time before we learn of the player's decision. Likely, his decision depends largely on what happens on June 1, which is the deadline for the England national team to send to FIFA the list of the 26 players who will represent their nation in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Ireland national team camp remains optimistic, trusting that Delap's family connection and the immediacy of a starring role for them would be better than the waiting time to be considered by the England national team.
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