After completing Chelsea’s move, Mares Cabacking Dellup

Enzo Maresca throws his full support behind the new arrival, Liam Dellup, acknowledging that the striker is destined to become England’s first choice number 9.

Dellup, 22, is set to make his Chelsea debut at the Club World Cup after completing a £30 million switch from Ipswich earlier this month.

In this move, Delap is reunited with Maresca. The forward signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after scoring 12 goals in 37 Premier League games last season.

Chelsea will launch a Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC on Monday. Here, Delap was featured in Blue for the first time.

Speaking from the US, Maresca praised Delap’s potential.

“Now he’s a Chelsea player. I’m going to say it again. There’s no doubt that he’ll be in England No. 9 in the future.

Chelsea paid as much to Liam Dellup as the entire LAFC team was worth it. pic.twitter.com/8obppxsdqk

– Football Transfer (@transfersdotcom) June 16, 2025

“We won under the age of 23 in Manchester City. He scored 25, 25 goals that season, so he knows exactly what we can give him. I know what Liam can give us.

“That’s an advantage for both parties. We like Liam, Liam likes us, so it was a simple conversation.”

Delap has chosen to withdraw from the England team for the European Under 21 Championship to join Chelsea for the US Tour.

Delap is one of four fresh faces in the Chelsea setup heading into the tournament, with returning lenders Andrey Santos and new youth recruiting Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Mike Penders.

Despite the fanfare surrounding Delap’s arrival, Maresca smeared her lips tightly about whether the striker would start against LAFC.