Enzo Maresca recently shared his thoughts on Chelsea’s plans for a striker this summer, expressing his admiration for both Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap.
He mentioned that while he would love to see a “clone” of Jackson added to the squad, the competition for Delap’s signature is heating up.
Liam Delap’s Impact and Future
Liam Delap, who has been a standout player for Ipswich in the Premier League, is on Chelsea’s radar.
Due to a release clause, if Ipswich are relegated, Delap could be available for as little as £30 million.
However, Chelsea isn’t the only club interested in the 22-year-old forward—Manchester United is also reportedly keeping a close eye on him.
Maersca, who worked with Delap at Manchester City’s academy, spoke highly of the forward’s potential.
“He’s been fantastic this season, scoring 12 goals already,” Maresca remarked.
“But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s the way he plays, his fight, and his presence on the field.”
Despite his admiration, Maresca noted that Delap is currently an “enemy” for Chelsea, as the two teams are set to face off this weekend.
“After the match, I’ll wish him all the best, but right now, we need to beat Ipswich,” he added.
Maresca also made it clear that while Delap shares a similar style to top strikers like Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, it’s still too early to make direct comparisons.
“They are all traditional number nines who thrive in the box,” he said.
The Role of Nicolas Jackson
While discussing potential signings, Maresca took time to praise his current striker, Nicolas Jackson.
“With Nico, we’re a completely different team,” he said.
“When he was injured, we really missed him, and it’s made us realize how important he is to our play.”
Maresca emphasized that Jackson is already playing the role of his ideal number nine and that Chelsea is fortunate to have him on the squad.
Chelsea’s Current Striker Situation
Maresca was also asked about his ideal striker profile, and without hesitation, he pointed to Jackson.
“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson,” he stated.
“We don’t need to look for someone else right now. Nico is the one we need, and with him, we are a better team.”
Regarding next season’s transfer plans, Maresca stayed tight-lipped.
“It’s not the moment to talk about transfers,” he said, preferring to focus on the present challenges.
Chelsea’s Remaining Fixtures and European Ambitions
As Chelsea heads into the final stretch of the season, their race for Champions League qualification remains tight.
Beating Ipswich, who are struggling at the bottom of the table, will be crucial to staying in the hunt.
While their league position is under threat, Chelsea can take solace in their strong performance in the Conference League.
After a 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw in the first leg of their semi-final, the team is well on track for a spot in the final.
Now, the focus is on ensuring a solid finish to the Premier League campaign, with all eyes on the showdown against Ipswich this weekend.