Enzo Maresca has expressed strong confidence in Liam Delap’s ability to thrive as Chelsea’s primary striker, predicting that the 22-year-old could one day wear the iconic No 9 jersey for England. Following his £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town, Delap is eager to make a strong debut as Chelsea kicks off their Club World Cup campaign against Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday.
Delap, who scored 12 goals last season, aims to prove his worth in a competitive forward line that includes Nicolas Jackson. His resilience is commendable, as he remains undeterred by the “curse” that has surrounded Chelsea’s No 9 shirt since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure two years ago. Despite past high-profile failures of strikers like Romelu Lukaku and Fernando Torres, Delap seems ready to embrace the challenge.
Maresca, who has a history of coaching Delap during their time together at Manchester City’s academy, believes the young striker is well-equipped to handle the pressure. “Liam knows quite well how important the number nine is for this club,” Maresca stated, emphasizing Delap’s relaxed demeanor and determination to succeed. He added that Delap’s eagerness to work hard and improve makes him a viable candidate for the position.
In addition to bolstering the front line with Delap, Chelsea plans to further strengthen their attack by pursuing another winger, particularly after Jadon Sancho’s return to Manchester United. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is reportedly on their radar.
Since qualifying for the Champions League and winning the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea has been active in the transfer market, adding several new players, including Andrey Santos and Mamadou Sarr. Maresca has indicated that while they are assessing their goalkeeping options, Robert Sanchez remains the club’s first choice.
Overall, Chelsea’s strategic moves in the transfer market and their focus on nurturing young talent like Delap signal a commitment to building a competitive squad. With promising prospects in place, fans can remain optimistic about the club’s direction as they aim for success in both domestic and international competitions.