Jackson vs Delap: Ex-Chelsea defender wades in on Maresca’s starting striker

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot has analysed Enzo Maresca’s striker options after the Blues’ 2-0 Club World Cup victory over Los Angeles FC. 

Although neither Nicolas Jackson nor new signing Liam Delap did not score, both men set up the goals with Jackson assisting Pedro Neto and Delap expertly found Enzo Fernandez to double the Premier League club’s advantage late on. 

Having been an area of conversation before the start of the competition, Maresca’s forwards played commendably in their first competitive game; Jackson got 60 minutes and the Englishman played for a half-hour. 

Melchiot, who joined Chelsea in 1999 and left in 2004, has commented on Maresca's centre-forward options.

“I think Jackson is going to start,” said the retired Dutch defender. “It comes down to Jackson doing the job that he has to do.

“If he doesn’t do it, Delap is going to get his chance. Now he (Jackson) has got the competition and we will see how he handles that.

“We cannot compare Ipswich with Chelsea. Can he (Delap) produce better than Jackson is going to do?”

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