Enzo Maresca backs new signing to lead line for national team in future
Forward competing with Nicolas Jackson to start at Club World Cup
Enzo Maresca has backed Liam Delap to handle the pressure of leading the line for Chelsea and is adamant that the striker will become England’s next No 9.
Delap is eager to make a strong first impression following his £30m move from Ipswich Town and will hope to make his Chelsea debut when the Premier League side open their Club World Cup campaign by facing Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday.
The 22-year-old, who was unable to keep Ipswich in the top flight despite scoring 12 goals last season, is competing with Nicolas Jackson for a starting spot in attack and does not seem overawed by his new surroundings. It is encouraging that Delap has paid little attention to claims of a curse befalling Chelsea’s No 9 shirt, which has been vacant since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club two years ago.
