Enzo Maresca revealed why he selected Chelsea new boy Liam Delap ahead of Nicolas Jackson for their shock 3-1 defeat by Flamengo on Friday.
The Blues boss made four changes after their 2-0 win over LAFC and handed £30million signing Delap his first start in Philadelphia.
Delap, who impressed with an assist off the bench against LAFC, almost scored inside six minutes as he forced a save from Augustin Rossi before Pedro Neto gave Chelsea the lead.
The former Ipswich star is pushing to be Chelsea’s regular starting striker and has been armed with the number nine shirt. He was replaced by Jackson on Friday, who within a few minutes was sent off for a stamp on Ayrton as Chelsea collapsed in the second half.
Maresca explained: ‘Just because they are both very good and we decide game by game who is going to play. But also some new players like Chalobah are playing from the start. I made some changes and hopefully they are good ones.
‘They are quite similar (Delap and Jackson). I think Liam also needs a little time to adapt to his team-mates, the way we want to play – the way we want him to play.
‘But no doubt that he is going to do well.’
Delap hit 12 goals in all competitions last season as Ipswich suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Jackson, meanwhile, who signed from Villarreal for £32m in 2023, hit 13 goals and six assists last campaign.
John Obi Mikel offered a comparison of the young stars on DAZN, saying: ‘I think they are both similar players. I think Enzo is saying the right thing there.
‘This guy (Delap), we saw some flashes when he came on in the first game. He can run behind, he’s good on the ball as well. He came short then he went and ran behind.
‘So, for me, he’s quick, he’s strong and there (replay on screen) he just used his pace to go beyond the defender. He pressed high, which is what we want to see.
‘So, they’re both doing the same thing. They are both very good strikers but the manager made it clear, whoever is performing is going to be the one who plays.’
Delap pushed for a goal on his full debut, racing past the defence onto a long ball in the second half but being denied by a last-ditch clearance from Leo Pereira.
But he was unable to find the net and was replaced by Jackson in the 64th minute.
Jackson did not help his cause as he was dismissed with a straight red card for his stamp.
