Delap vs Jackson: Maresca discusses Chelsea's starting striker duel

Enzo Maresca has expressed strong belief in Liam Delap's potential to become England's next premier No. 9. 

Delap, 22, recently completed a £30 million transfer to Chelsea from relegated Ipswich Town earlier this month and immediately joined Maresca's squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

However, the Chelsea head coach has made it clear that the ex-Manchester City man has not been guaranteed a starting role at Stamford Bridge, and he will need to compete fiercely for the striker position.

Maresca did not confirm whether Delap would make his Chelsea debut from the start in Monday's opening Club World Cup group stage match against Los Angeles FC. 

The new signing will compete with Nicolas Jackson for a starting berth at Stamford Bridge, and it remains to be seen who earns the role.

“I never say to a player you are going to be first choice,” Maresca said. “The message is always the same: you arrive, you work hard, you work more than the other number nine and you can be first choice No 9. So the conversation with Liam was quite clear. 

“He was keen to join us because he knows the way we play, the season that we were together (at City).

“We won for the first time for Manchester City the (Premier League) under-23 competition, and he scored 24, 25 goals that season. 

“So he knows exactly what we can give to him, and as I said before, I know what Liam can give us. So I think it’s a win-win and the conversation was quite an easy one. We like Liam, Liam likes us, so it was an easy conversation.”

Regarding Delap's international future, Maresca reiterated his strong conviction that the forward possesses the potential to be England's future centre-forward.

“Before we faced Ipswich, (when) Liam was not a Chelsea player, I said that for me, potentially he can be England No 9,” continued the Chelsea boss. “He was not even with us. And for sure now that he’s with us, I’m going to say again that I don’t have any doubt that he can be in the future England No 9.”

After facing LAFC on Monday, Chelsea will play Flamengo on June 20 and ES Tunis five days later in their Club World Cup campaign.