Enzo Maresca says that he did not hesitate that New Chelsea signed Liam Delap would hit the ground after his fine cameee in their opening club World Cup victory on Los Angeles FC.
Delap came from the bank in the second half and only needed 15 minutes to include fellow substitute Enzo Fernandez in Monday's 2-0 victory in Atlanta.
Maresca, who worked during the pair at the time of the couple at the international under-21 years at the Academy of Manchester City, had previously said he expected that Delap would be the number nine of England.
The 22-year-old supplied properly with an impressive replacement version, although it was the Chelsea head coach Maresca as little surprise.
“The good thing about Liam is that he knows how we want to play, so the process is pretty fast,” said Maresca Live on channel 5.
Nicolas Jackson had previously received the nod to lead the line as the first cord option of Maresca, and he played a key role in setting up Pedro Neto's mercy in the 34th minute.
However, Delap could have had an assist to his name, but creating two chances, a count that was only improved by Neto (four) and Jackson (three) for both sides.
“It is always healthy to have competition,” said Delap on Channel 5 in his interview after the game when he was asked about Jackson from Senegal.
“It's football and it's an incredible club, so it's hard, but you have to thrive from the competition.”
Delap for his debut!
1-0 [64] pic.twitter.com/kw8pnzlw2e
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) June 16, 2025
Delap scored 12 goals for Ipswich Town last season before he sealed a reported relocation of £ 30 million to Stamford Bridge this month after relegation with the Kieran McKenna side.
It is still to be seen who will be Maresca's first-choice option when the Premier League season starts in August, although Delap is already starting to feel in his new team.
“It was really exciting to be here, to play and contribute my first game, it's a good feeling,” he went on. “They welcomed me, I only had a few sessions, but I can't wait anymore.”
However, Maresca's direct focus will not focus on the striker debate, with Brazilian giant Flamengo to follow on Friday.
“We have to recover, the game within three days, we will see,” the Italian added. “We will try to prepare and try to win in the best way.
“In this phase of the season it is also normal for you to manage different types of things. In general, the performance has been good.”