Chelsea’s opening game of the Club World Cup will see them come up against a striker who enjoyed an illustrious career during his time at Stamford Bridge.
After Club Leon were disqualified from the competition, the Blues will instead take on LAFC to get their competition underway, with Olivier Giroud leading the line for them.
The Frenchman won the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea, and will be one of the first to get an up close look at who the latest striker to take the number nine shirt in West London is.
Liam Delap was the big-name addition made by the club before the summer transfer window temporarily shut. The Blues beat a number of top Premier League sides to the deal.
Olivier Giroud’s honest thoughts on new Chelsea striker Liam Delap
Delap is expected to start the opening game of the tournament, and Giroud has already had his take on the Englishman ahead of his debut.
The veteran goalscorer told Ben Jacobs that he believes he is a talented player, although warned him that he needs a strong mentality to get over the pressure of being the goalscorer at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “It’s not about the number nine, it’s the position on the field. Striker is very, very demanding. You can be under the spotlight when things go really well, but you are the first on the frontline when you are not scoring goals. You have to show some character, even in tough moments, stay confident and keep working hard. But there is a lot of pressure when you play striker.
“If he’s got a good mentality, and I think he’s very talented, and the boys will help him to settle well, I think it will be fine.”
Enzo Maresca warned about Delap
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was key to the club pushing hard to sign Delap after his relegation release clause became active at Ipswich Town.
The pair have experience working together at Manchester City, with Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer also being part of a brilliant youth side.
However, John Obi Mikel has warned Maresca to ensure he plays to the striker’s strengths, despite the quality of player surrounding him in attack.
At £30m, there is far less immediate pressure on Delap to deliver, however he will be keen to not leave it long to show Chelsea fans his quality.
