Chelsea boosted by striker battle as Liam Delap lays down Nicolas Jackson challenge | OneFootball

Both Blues forwards impress in opening Club World Cup win over LAFC, with Enzo Maresca set for welcome headache

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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The Club World Cup, however, could turn out to be a valuable tournament for Chelsea, who kicked off their campaign with a win.

Enzo Maresca has said that he views the Club World Cup as a continuation of this season, but the arrival of Liam Delap is a nod to the future.

Delap was due to go with England’s Under-21 squad to the European Championship this summer, but instead he is with Chelsea in the US.

Maresca has said how he gave the 22-year-old no assurances that he would be a starter for Chelsea and instead Delap will have to battle it out with Nicolas Jackson.

On the evidence of this first match, it may turn out to be a great contest and a welcome headache for Maresca.

Chelsea struggled at points last season due to a lack of competition for Jackson as, when he dipped in form, Maresca had limited options to alter things.

Delap’s arrival should change that, with both he and Jackson catching the eye during this win over LAFC.

Jackson was given the nod to start and was lively from the off. The striker had an effort saved inside the opening five minutes and then showed quick feet to create a chance for Noni Madueke.

It was Jackson’s hold-up and link-up play that stood out, and he created the opening goal with a lovely through ball for Neto.

The only thing missing from Jackson’s performance was a goal and he was unlucky to have a header cleared off the line early in the second half.

The Senegal international was taken off shortly after that as Delap was handed his debut.

The striker made an immediate impact, showing a burst of pace to beat his man and so nearly teeing up fellow substitute Fernandez with a cut-back.

The two were not to be denied, though, and 11 minutes before the end Delap set up Fernandez for Chelsea’s second goal.

This time he picked out Fernandez with a perfectly-weighted cross from the right as Chelsea killed the game.

The Blues are next in action on Friday night, when they take on Flamengo, and a run at this Club World Cup could be beneficial for them.

There are the obvious financial rewards, and the chance for Delap and Jackson to get a head start in their battle to be Chelsea’s No9 may also prove valuable.

There were moments last season where it felt like Chelsea did not have a striker to pick, with the likes of Neto and Tyrique George filling in up front.

It is early days, but Maresca will hope this win over LAFC is evidence of how next season he will have two strikers fighting it out for one spot.