FIFA Club World Cup: Delap arrival providing Jackson with added motivation

As Chelsea prepare for their second match of the Club World Cup, Ash Rose looks at how the club's striking optionare developing (originally published Tuesday, June 17)

 

Much has been made of Chelsea’s eye-catching acquisition of Liam Delap after they beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United and Everton to sign him ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup - with every game live on DAZN.

The striker made his debut for Enzo Maresca’s side as a substitute in their 2-0 win over LAFC on Monday after joining the Blues from Ipswich Town earlier this month for £30million.

His price tag had already seemed cheap but the way Delap set up Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea’s second goal suggested the 22-year-old could be one of the bargains of the summer.

It was a hugely encouraging 26-minute bow for Delap, a player tipped as Harry Kane’s long-term successor as England’s No 9, after being introduced in the 64th minute at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

But do not underestimate how much his arrival will benefit others, not least Nicolas Jackson, and Chelsea’s overall attacking threat.

Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

As was shown against Los Angeles, Jackson appears ready for the challenge of battling it out with Delap to be Maresca’s first-choice striker.

Jackson started the match and created Chelsea’s opening goal, teeing up Pedro Neto in the first half, before making way for Delap.

Significantly, Jackson’s performance drew praise from Maresca.

Do not overlook that either.

“I am quite curious to see how Nico deals with competition,” remarked Maresca.

“Hopefully both strikers can score goals and assist. We had two or three months last season without Nico and Marc Guiu.

“It is a nice feeling for a manager to have two strikers.”

Read | Witnessing an exciting future for club and country as Chelsea duo shine in Club World Cup opener

Whether or not Maresca will look to use Delap and Jackson as a strike pairing in the rest of the tournament and beyond remains to be seen.

But certainly Jackson’s display against LAFC gave his manager food for thought.

During the first half, in particular, the Senegal striker was outstanding; linking up play, running the channels, creating space and looking dangerous near the opposition’s goal.

It was his delightful pass which found Neto and afforded him the space to fire Chelsea ahead.

True, 23-year-old Jackson missed a decent chance with a header in the second half and it should not be overlooked that Chelsea improved when Delap was introduced.

But Jackson certainly made his mark on the game as Chelsea prepare to face Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday.

Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 on an eight-year contract in a £30million transfer from Villarreal and his debut season at Stamford Bridge was a significant success.

He scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 44 games during the 2023/24 campaign.

He netted 10 times in the Premier League this season, including a number of important strikes, and Chelsea extended his contract by two more years until 2033 last September.

His disciplinary record remains a concern - Jackson picked up 10 bookings from 44 appearances in all competitions - but he knows his way to goal and, as he showed against LAFC, he can create for others too.

Jackson seems up for the challenge of being a starting striker at Chelsea, as does Delap, who worked with Maresca during his youth career at Manchester City.

“I think it is always healthy to have competition, it is football,” Delap told DAZN after the LAFC win.

“This is an incredible club and so it is always going to be hard, but I think you have got to thrive off the competition.

“It’s a really happy feeling for me [to make my Chelsea debut]. I’m so excited to be here and to play my first game and to contribute is a good feeling.

“They (the Chelsea squad) have welcomed me really well. I have only had a few sessions here but I cannot wait for even more.

“It is really important to help the team, but I want to score some as well.”

Maresca has given Delap no assurances that he will replace Jackson in the starting line-up as both frontmen battle for a place in the team and their manager’s affections.

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