Enzo Maresca’s Vision for Liam Delap
Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Chelsea, has high hopes for Liam Delap, believing he has the skill set necessary to one day become England’s primary striker. However, Maresca emphasized that Delap will need to earn his place in the team, highlighting the competition he faces to secure a spot in Chelsea’s starting XI.
Transfer and Debut Plans
Delap recently transferred from Ipswich Town to Chelsea for a reported fee of £30 million and is set for a potential debut in the FIFA Club World Cup opener against LAFC in Atlanta this coming Monday.
Competition and Ambition
Chelsea beat out several rival clubs, including Manchester United, to sign the promising 22-year-old, who previously honed his skills at the Manchester City academy. With the ambition to one day lead the England national team, Delap could find himself vying for a position against established stars like Harry Kane, the nation’s captain and all-time leading scorer.
Maresca’s Affirmation
“Before we faced Ipswich, I mentioned that I see Liam possibly becoming England’s number nine.”
Now that Delap is part of the squad, Maresca reiterated his faith in the young striker but made it clear that earning a starting role would require significant effort.
“The message remains consistent: work harder than the other players, and you will earn your position as the first choice. My discussions with Liam have been straightforward.”
A Shared History
Delap was eager to join Chelsea, understanding the team’s style of play—especially given their shared history when Maresca coached him at City, where they clinched the under-23 competition title during his successful season in which he netted over 20 goals. Maresca described the transfer negotiations as smooth, stating,
“It was clear we liked each other; he knows what we can offer him, and he understands how he can enhance our squad.”
Pressure of the No. 9 Shirt
Chelsea has handed Delap the iconic No. 9 shirt, a number that has seen mixed results historically at the club. Maresca expressed confidence in Delap’s ability to cope with the expectations that come with this prestigious jersey.
“Liam is relaxed and doing well during training. Our previous experiences together help us understand what we can achieve together.”
Teammate’s Praise
Moisés Caicedo, a Chelsea midfielder, has also praised Delap’s performances, noting his positive impact in training.
“We are excited to have him on board. He demonstrated his elite capabilities last season, and his training performances have been impressive. With his talent, we are confident that he will contribute significantly to our goal tally this season.”
Caicedo remarked, looking ahead to the upcoming tournament in the United States.
