“Going to be salivating” – Ex-Blue makes claim about Chelsea ace following Flamengo defeat | OneFootball

Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has claimed Liam Delap will secretly be happy after Nicolas Jackson got sent off against Flamengo.

Delap was handed his first start after coming on as a substitute against LAFC, but was powerless to prevent the Blues from slumping to a 3-1 defeat.

Despite having a 1-0 lead at half time thanks to Pedro Neto’s second goal in as many games, Chelsea fell apart in six second half minutes where they conceded twice and Jackson saw red for a dreadful challenge four minutes after coming.

Carlton Cole makes Liam Delap claim

Jackson’s red card, his second in his last five games, means he will now miss the final group game against ES Tunis, with Chelsea yet to qualify for last 16.

Jackson issued an apology on Instagram after the game, but his mistake now means Delap is likely to be handed his second consecutive start.

Delap made his first Chelsea start against Flamengo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Cole believes Delap will secretly be happy with the situation and will be “salivating” at the opportunity he’s been presented with.

“It doesn’t help when your striker gets sent off with a nonsense tackle that really didn’t have to go that way,” he told talkSPORT.

“When I look at the whole tournament, Maresca has got a lot of thinking to do. He might get something out of the tournament to see who he can actually depend on, the ones that he can trust to go to the trenches with him.

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“But, for now, there are a few calls to be made on a few players. Jackson hasn’t made his case strong enough now because you can’t be doing that. It was a bad challenge as well, to be honest.

“And Delap is just going to be salivating at the opportunity because he didn’t think it would’ve come this quickly.”

Chelsea looking to sign another forward

It’s been reported Chelsea are planning for Jackson and Delap to be their strikers next season, but they are still in the market for another forward.

The Blues are looking for a versatile forward with Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix both likely to leave, and have been linked with several names.

Hugo Ekitike, Mohammed Kudus and Joao Pedro are the strongest links, although the Blues are yet to make an official move for anyone, and it will be interesting to see who they decide to go for.