Enzo Maresca says Nicolas Jackson is his ‘perfect number nine’ and responds to Liam Delap links | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says he is delighted with Nicolas Jackson amid reports Chelsea would like to sign another striker this summer.

Jackson has endured a frustrating season, and has recently returned from six weeks out with a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old has scored nine times in 26 games for Maresca’s side this season but has struggled for goals of late, failing to net in the last ten games he has played.

But the Chelsea boss insists he is very happy with the performances of his centre-forward and that he would like another version of Jackson’s profile, if the Blues are to sign a new striker.

“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson,” he said.

“We already have a number nine. It’s not summer now.

“If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s okay. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team.

“Nico is the one we need. Last season, he scored goals without penalties. This season he scored goals until he was injured. Now, hopefully he can score more goals without penalties.

“We are happy with Nico. And about next season, it’s not the moment [to talk about transfers].”

Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is one of the strikers to have been linked with Chelsea, having scored 12 Premier League goals for the struggling Tractor Boys this season.

And ahead of their clash with Ipswich, Maresca praised the former Manchester City youngster, who he worked with during his time at the club.

“In terms of numbers, he’s doing fantastic,” Maresca told reporters. “I think he’s scored 12 [Premier League] goals already. It’s not just in terms of his numbers. The way he plays and fights and is always ‘there’.

“But he’s an Ipswich player. He’s an enemy on Sunday because we need to beat them, and then after the game I wish him all the best for the future.

“To compare Liam [Delap] with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, I think it’s a bit early. But for sure, in terms of style he’s that kind of player.”