Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes new signing Liam Delap has the potential to become England’s future No. 9. The 22-year-old striker joined Chelsea from Ipswich for £30 million, reuniting with Maresca, his former Manchester City academy coach.
Delap, who netted 12 Premier League goals last season, signed a six-year deal and could make his debut in Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener against LAFC on Monday in Atlanta.
“I’ve always believed in Liam’s potential. We know what he brings, and he knows what we offer,” said Maresca.
Delap joins fellow newcomers Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Mike Penders in the squad. However, Maresca said Delap will have to compete with Nicolas Jackson for a starting role.
