Enzo Maresca has backed Chelsea forward Liam Delap to become England’s centre-forward in the coming seasons.
Delap has signed for Chelsea from Ipswich Town in a £30m deal and could debut when the West Londoners face Los Angeles FC in their Club World Cup opener on Monday.
A look at what Liam Delap will bring to @ChelseaFC‘s front line 🔵 pic.twitter.com/J3cYo3yPI1
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 9, 2025
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season, despite Ipswich’s relegation from the top flight. His move to Chelsea reunites Delap with Maresca, having worked with the head coach in the Manchester City academy.
Delap has taken the number nine shirt at Chelsea, a number associated with several disappointing high-profile signings.
However, Maresca is confident that Delap will succeed at Stamford Bridge and believes it is a shirt that he could soon be wearing for the national team.
Delap has won 12 caps for the u-21 side but is yet to make his senior debut. He will hope playing European football can put him in the conversation for next summer’s World Cup squad.
“Liam knows how important the number nine is for this club. I see no problem with the shirt [being cursed]. Liam is relaxed. He is doing well,’ Maresca said ahead of facing LAFC this evening.
Chelsea boss Maresca backs Delap for England role
“We knew each other from years ago [at Manchester City]. It’s a win-win. He knows what we can give to him, and we know what he can bring us. Hopefully, he can score goals for us.
“When we faced Ipswich, I said back then he could be an England number nine. And now he’s with us, I say it again, he can be an England number nine in the future.”
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