Enzo Maresca has “little question” that Liam Delap will rating targets for Chelsea after the striker opened his account towards Esperance final evening.
Delap, a £30million signing from Ipswich, netted the second in a 3-0 win for the Blues on the Membership World Cup as they progressed to a last-16 assembly with Benfica.
A much-changed line-up and stifling circumstances meant it was a low-key encounter however Delap was the star together with his aim coming shortly after Tosin Adarabioyo had put Chelsea forward. Tyrique George added a 3rd late on.
IT’S TWO! JUST THAT FAST FOR THE BLUES!@ChelseaFC with two targets in two minutes!
Catch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each Sport. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #ESTCHE pic.twitter.com/FbVPWuIGEn
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 25, 2025
Maresca impressed by Delap affect
“In opposition to Flamengo, he had three clear possibilities to attain targets,” Maresca stated of Delap. “That’s already a superb feeling as a result of it means he’s in the appropriate place and is there. Now we have little question Liam will rating targets for us. Little doubt about that.”
Delap has labored with Maresca earlier than throughout their time at Manchester Metropolis and appears snug within the Italian’s system.
“We anticipated the method to be fast with Liam,” Maresca stated. “The explanation why is as a result of we all know him and he is aware of us with the best way we play. For Dario [Essugo], Andrey [Santos] or Mamadou [Sarr] it will be somewhat bit extra sophisticated they usually want time as a result of they don’t know precisely how we play.
“For Liam, the method could be fairly fast, and he’s a extremely good participant.”
Warmth makes rotation inevitable
Maresca made eight adjustments to the aspect that misplaced to Flamengo, and attributed the alterations to the warmth with Philadelphia experiencing its hottest day in 31 years.
“I’m very pleased,” he stated. “We needed the win to proceed to construct a profitable mentality. And I feel the gamers, they have been good, and now we will suppose for the subsequent one.
“It’s not possible to not rotate gamers as a result of taking part in each three days in these circumstances means it’s not potential for them to play each sport.
“Those that performed have been good and we’ve given some relaxation to Moi [Caicedo], Trev [Chalobah], Levi [Colwill], Cucu [Marc Cucurella], Cole [Palmer], Pedro [Neto] – many gamers. It’s necessary to recuperate the vitality and attempt to win the subsequent sport.”
✅ Liam Delap’s first @ChelseaFC aim✅ Via to the @FIFACWC Spherical of 16💭 Prepared to hold the load of the #️⃣9️⃣?
Catch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each Sport. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUu4lJ | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #ESTCHE pic.twitter.com/tZCisdxvJw
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 25, 2025
Flamengo’s late equaliser towards LAFC meant they topped Group D with Chelsea second.
Maresca’s aspect journey to Charlotte to play Benfica on Saturday with Delap prone to begin once more after Nicolas Jackson’s suspension was prolonged to 2 video games.
