Enzo Maresca revealed why he selected Chelsea new boy Liam Delap ahead of Nicolas Jackson for their second Club World Cup assignment against Flamengo.
The Blues boss made four changes after their 2-0 win over LAFC and handed £30million signing Delap his first start in Philadelphia on Friday night.
Delap, who impressed with an assist off the bench against LAFC, almost scored inside six minutes as he forced a save from Augustin Rossi before Pedro Neto gave Chelsea the lead.
The former Ipswich star is pushing to be Chelsea's regular starting striker and has been armed with the number nine shirt.
Just because they are both very good and we decide game by game who is going to play. But also some new players like Chalobah are playing from the start. I made some changes and hopefully they are good ones.
Maresca explained: 'They are quite similar (Delap and Jackson). I think Liam also needs a little time to adapt to his team-mates, the way we want to play - the way we want him to play.
'But no doubt that he is going to do well.'
Delap hit 12 goals in all competitions last season as Ipswich suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Jackson, meanwhile, who signed from Villarreal for £32m in 2023, hit 13 goals and six assists last campaign.
John Obi Mikel offered a comparison of the young stars on DAZN, saying: 'I think they are both similar players. I think Enzo is saying the right thing there.
'This guy (Delap), we saw some flashes when he came on in the first game. He can run behind, he’s good on the ball as well. He came short then he went and ran behind.
'So, for me, he’s quick, he’s strong and there (replay on screen) he just used his pace to go beyond the defender. He pressed high, which is what we want to see.
'So, they’re both doing the same thing. They are both very good strikers but the manager made it clear, whoever is performing is going to be the one who plays.'
Delap pushed for a goal on his full debut, racing past the defence onto a long ball in the second half but being denied by a last-ditch clearance from Leo Pereira.
But he was unable to find the net and was replaced by Jackson in the 64th minute.
Jiggywhitehead
0
James is not a midfielder wtf!
Jiggywhitehead
0
Buy prayers ooo
even fasting 😂
koeacilpsu
0
Chelsea need mature players urgently - Keeper Maignan, Striker Osimhen and one other, plus other key players! Coache should always make mature selections please!
miseikosz
0
Get Victor G....
buyaeklos
0
maresca is foolish we lost yesternight because of him playing James in middle field is suicide, why buying middle fielders you can't use? second problem he can't read the game he just a gambler.
James is a good player he fits perfectly as a defensive midfielder. The problem is not the couch nor the players. It's the attitude in the team which might change with time. Those players, with time will become the best. Remember Salah, Ruben we sell topnotch players to bring dilapidated ones eg Toress
VOsimhen9Fan
0
I said it before and I'll say it again Delap is just a paste of Jackson the only difference is skin color we still don't have a striker
NanbalRaphael
1
He told them to get Osimhen and they refuse.....
NanbalRaphael
0
Chelsea need a second left back should incase of injury the coach is not even thinking towards that area
That's what I have been saying bro
KehindeSeun
0
y will he play 2 right backs in a game where he has good midfielders on the bench is better his sacked now before the season get started, last season Chelsea struggled to the last day upon all the good players in the team
I wonder my brother. even if you want to experiment you do it with midfield because you have allot of them. Santos as not got any minute since he came why ??
BwoyPrince
2
Foolish coach
hibbdeoru
0
Buy prayers ooo
zukdlsuz
1
y will he play 2 right backs in a game where he has good midfielders on the bench is better his sacked now before the season get started, last season Chelsea struggled to the last day upon all the good players in the team
zukdlsuz
2
Chelsea need a second left back should incase of injury the coach is not even thinking towards that area
zukdlsuz
1
sack this coach please
Rome1001
2
If they are quite similar why do you sign him ? We need a top striker, not signing what you already have .🚶🏻➡️🚶🏻➡️🚶🏻➡️
Jaocikopz
1
that man is not a coach at all I will never will he be a coach removing James from his normal position and putting what his name gusto that guy Malia gusto is never a good player in dreamling and in crosses it's not good at all I'm putting all your good midfielder bench this man is not a couch at all
cisailnory
0
For chelsea to perform optimally well next season :- We need :- 1) A Tall, Rugged & Experienced Defender 2) A Reliable Goalkeeper 3) One more Striker bcos Jackson is not reliable. Enough of signing midfielders as we have them in abundance. The time has come for chelsea to punish any player who foolishly collects avoidably Red Card like what Jackson did ystday . Afterall, it wasn't long that he was Red Carded against Newcastle. This is becoming too much & Unacceptable to we the fans.
you are on point
behabceklm
1
Yes here he did well to drop Jackson but my concern is why is he still trusting James as a midfielder over those of Lavia, Essugo and Santos therefore for me as a fan of Chelsea it is hurting to see the team been crushed to useless goals like that otherwise i could suggest him to play James in his original position and replace him with Gusto if he likes other than creating trouble for the team in that way, that is the same reason why those of Palmer are getting it hard press their opponents since the midfield has no power shake their opponents so please dear coach try as much as possible to avoid that before things go worse in the next coming games or matches......
lilmen20
0
maresca is foolish we lost yesternight because of him playing James in middle field is suicide, why buying middle fielders you can't use? second problem he can't read the game he just a gambler.
pure... God bless you dear... that's the same thing I was talking about yesterday
lukblstz
2
For chelsea to perform optimally well next season :- We need :- 1) A Tall, Rugged & Experienced Defender 2) A Reliable Goalkeeper 3) One more Striker bcos Jackson is not reliable. Enough of signing midfielders as we have them in abundance. The time has come for chelsea to punish any player who foolishly collects avoidably Red Card like what Jackson did ystday . Afterall, it wasn't long that he was Red Carded against Newcastle. This is becoming too much & Unacceptable to we the fans.
ifadac
1
...... and when you brought in Nicholas Jackson, he went straight for someone's ankle, instead of going for the ball. Get ready to bring your overhyped players back to Stamford Bridge because you can't make it to round of 16. You went for cheap and average striker, instead of quality ....
Wayelmruyz
4
maresca is foolish we lost yesternight because of him playing James in middle field is suicide, why buying middle fielders you can't use? second problem he can't read the game he just a gambler.
Oreste82
1
Fuckkk u
scottjack22440
1
Mikel obi reaction to Chelsea as they're busy signing average strikers instead of Oshimhen 😂😂😂
Coyblopt
2
The coach is as confused as the president of Nigeria. Nothing to show forth or bring to the table. Always giving excuses upon excuses. Bad formation,playing players in wrong position and complaining after being beaten instead acknowledging ur mistake and learning from it.
Saecdimprz
1
Chelsea please buy victory osimhen power and full force not delap
Micilnou
2
Forget qualification to champions League. Enzo Maresca to me is not a top coach. He is like his players, so inexperienced. He keep experimenting and doesn't understand the importance of a tournament.
Mitaeilrz
2
useless player and useless coach
tizdopsyz
2
Chelsea has a lot of problems but another 1 of them is their coach, he keeps rotating the players unnecessarily. How can you play James in midfield when you have natural midfielders like Lavia, Santos and were doing very well in those positions. Stupid coach nxaa
Bobabobaloyy
3
jackson dey red card
toncnpsz
4
the question should be Why is he playing James in midfield while he has four world class midfielder in the squad plus everybody knows we get the best out of James as full back?! STOP coping Gardiola have your own identity Maresca
Nicky93
1
The question is why you use a defender as a midfielder while you have lavia and Santos plus esugo you keep on playing players who were struggling in the league while we have those new players who want to compete.
yonbilmsty
0
foolish man say Enzo nonsense
Hicbdinsty
4
Stupid coach why playing James in midfield when you have 2 natural midfielders on the bench
Zezcdimouy
2
Enzo, if i was a coach, I would be introducing Nicolas in the last minutes of play each game
fetdeiuz
2
useless coach
Hucckmtz
2
its very serious, Chelsea needs at least two strikers that knows what it means by "finish the mission🤨"