Liam Delap’s Chelsea debut at the FIFA Club World Cup earned glowing praise from Micah Richards, who believes the young striker’s performance has raised the stakes for Nicolas Jackson.
Delap, a £30 million summer signing from Ipswich, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their opening Group D match. The 21-year-old striker assisted Enzo Fernandez with a pinpoint cross in the 79th minute, helping secure a confident start for Enzo Maresca’s side in Atlanta.
Though Jackson led the line from the start and played well, Richards insists competition is heating up. Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I thought Jackson was playing really well. His link-up play was very, very good. But obviously, he’s going to have to up his game now.”
Richards admitted he had initial doubts about Delap’s adaptation to Chelsea’s rhythm. “A couple of early touches looked nervy — I even texted the group saying Delap was struggling a bit. Then, two minutes later, he gets the assist!”
Delap’s introduction in the second half saw him link up effectively with Cole Palmer, showcasing composure, smart movement, and excellent delivery — attributes that could fast-track his role in Maresca’s plans.
“It took him five or ten minutes to get settled,” Richards added. “But once he did, he started to drift into pockets, receive the ball confidently, and that cross for Enzo was top quality. I can see him fitting into this team very well.”
Delap’s arrival now provides genuine competition for Jackson, who spent most of last season as Chelsea’s preferred No.9. Maresca welcomed the healthy rivalry. “I’m curious to see how Nico reacts,” said the Chelsea boss. “He competed with Marc Guiu last season, but Delap is a different profile. It’s good for the team.”
The Blues will now prepare for a top-of-the-table clash against Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday, where Maresca must decide whether Delap’s cameo has earned him a starting spot.
“The good thing about Liam is he already understands how we want to play,” Maresca noted. “That makes the integration process much quicker. We also gave Dario Essugo some minutes, which is another positive.”
Chelsea’s win sees them sit level on points with Flamengo, who also won their opening fixture. A victory on Friday would place the Premier League side in firm control of Group D.
As Delap stakes his claim and Jackson faces renewed pressure, Chelsea fans may witness a dynamic competition for the striker role — one that could define their Club World Cup journey and upcoming season.