Enzo Maresca went with a very strong team for Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup.
The likes of Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson started the game, with the latter setting up Chelsea‘s opening goal.
The Blues signed Liam Delap from Ipswich Town earlier this month to strengthen their forward options, but Maresca decided to go with Jackson up top for his side’s Club World Cup opener.
Delap came on and managed to register an assist, though, and Maresca has been speaking about both the 22-year-old and Jackson.
Enzo Maresca keen to see how Nicolas Jackson reacts to Liam Delap challenge
Last season, Jackson did not have too much competition, with 19-year-old Marc Guiu being the only other recognised centre-forward in Chelsea’s squad.
The 2025/26 campaign will be a different story, however, following the arrival of Delap. And Maresca has admitted that he is intrigued to see how his first-choice striker responds to the threat of losing his spot to the club’s new signing.
Speaking after Chelsea’s victory over LAFC, Maresca said: “Yes, very pleased. I am curious to see how Nico reacts (to Delap). He competed with Guiu who is very young during the season. They are both good No.9s.”
Jackson looked up for the fight at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday after linking up well with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto for the latter’s goal.
John Obi Mikel was impressed with Jackson and Palmer, but it could be a Palmer and Delap combo Chelsea fans see going forward if Jackson allows his form to dip.
Liam Delap warns Nicolas Jackson he’s ready for No.9 fight
Delap is not going to make things easy for Jackson, with the Englishman already making it clear that he is going to thrive off the competition.
Speaking to DAZN after the LAFC game, he said: “I think it’s always healthy to have competition. It’s football and this is an incredible club, so it’s always going to be hard. But I think you’ve got to thrive off the competition.”
There will be a lot of fixtures to play next term, so Delap and Jackson should get a good amount of minutes each. But there is likely to be a clear first-choice striker, with Jackson holding that status for now.
If the Senegal international continues to perform well at this summer’s Club World Cup, he may still have it by the time the Premier League kicks off in August.
