Enzo Maresca has labored wonders throughout his first few months as Chelsea supervisor, main the membership to second within the Premier League after the primary 15 matches of the marketing campaign.
The Blues have struggled to make all of the Todd Boehly additions click on, which is comprehensible given the inflow of signings and the whopping £1.2b spent within the course of.
Nevertheless, the Italian has made simple work of the position so far, sitting simply 4 factors off leaders Liverpool, while sustaining their 100% file within the Europa Convention League.
He’s discovered settled sides for each competitions, permitting for rotation, and subsequently handing all first-team members constant minutes throughout the board.
Nevertheless, the 44-year-old remains to be craving a brand new centre-forward on the high finish of the pitch to comply with within the footsteps of two fan-favourites at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s legendary strikers through the years
In the summertime of 2004, then-boss José Mourinho had the chance to signal lots of the greatest names in Europe however as a substitute opted for a deal to signal Didier Drogba from Marseille for £24m.
The Ivorian arrived as an unknown amount to many, however shortly launched himself to the fanbase, scoring 147 goals for the club throughout two separate spells in West London.
He produced arguably his greatest show in a Chelsea shirt in the course of the 2012 Champions League closing, scoring the equaliser earlier than slotting dwelling the successful penalty within the shootout and securing the membership’s first-ever European Cup.
Nevertheless, he would depart for a second time in the summertime of 2015, however they already managed to signal a long-term alternative the summer season prior within the type of Spanish striker Diego Costa.
The now 36-year-old cost a whopping £32m in 2014, however, like Drogba, made himself a monster hit with supporters along with his hold-up play and ending capability in entrance of objective.
Costa reached double figures in all three seasons, amassing a complete of 59 goals in 120 games, earlier than returning to Atletico Madrid in the course of the summer season of 2017 – banking a £25m revenue within the course of.
Nevertheless, the membership have did not signal a alternative for both of the aforementioned gamers lately, however that could possibly be about to alter in January.
In line with journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have made contact with Ipswich City over a transfer to signal striker Liam Delap in January.
The 21-year-old solely joined the newly promoted facet again in the summertime, with Kieran McKenna’s males forking out £20m for his providers from champions Manchester Metropolis, however he’s wasted no time in demonstrating he’s able to producing the products in entrance of objective.
He’s already scored six times in his 15 outings – scoring twice as many because the Tractor Boys’ next-highest goalscorer – a sign as to how essential he’s been in latest months.
Phillips’ report claims that they’ve already “opened talks” for the teen to gauge if a transfer may be accomplished and the way a lot it could set them again – probably a hefty quantity given his significance to the East Anglian outfit.
There’s no denying that any deal would supply that added objective risk, one thing which Maresca has desperately been wanting since his appointment in the summertime.
Nevertheless, any deal could possibly be dangerous information for one participant who might fall additional down the pecking order ought to a deal be accomplished in the course of the upcoming window.
Why Delap could be an improve on Guiu
Spanish ahead Marc Guiu joined the Blues in a £5m deal from LaLiga outfit over the summer season, working as a backup to present first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson.
Nevertheless, the 18-year-old has been restricted to only 24 minutes of Premier League action so far, having to accept Europa Convention League minutes to achieve his first group expertise.
He’s since made five appearances in the competition, scoring within the latest conflict with FC Astana on Tuesday night time – sustaining their 100% file within the competitors.
There’s no query that Delap, who’s beforehand been dubbed “incredible” by former boss Pep Guardiola, could be an improve on the Spaniard – pushing Jackson for the beginning position if he was to maneuver to the Bridge.
The previous Metropolis has an actual combative and bodily nature, as seen in his tally of 48% aerials won, resulting in comparisons to Drogba and Costa in latest months.
That likeness has been famous by GOAL journalist Krishan Davis, who stated Delap is ‘lower from the identical fabric’ as that pair, because of his ‘imposing 6 foot 1 physique and aggressive strategy belying his glorious technical capability’.
|
How Liam Delap compares to Marc Guiu to date in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Delap |
Guiu |
|
Video games performed |
15 |
6 |
|
Targets scored |
6 |
2 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
1.3 |
1.2 |
|
Aerials received |
48% |
0% |
|
Targets per shot taken |
0.22 |
0.15 |
|
Passes into 18-yard field |
0.4 |
0.4 |
He’s additionally been extra medical along with his efforts, reaching a greater goal-per-shot ratio, including that leading edge in attacking areas which Maresca has wanted throughout his tenure in West London.
While it’s unclear how a lot any potential deal for the Englishman would price, it’s evident that he has all the instruments to be a right away and long-term success in England’s high flight.
Given the membership’s present league standing, the followers will anticipate Champions League soccer as soon as once more in 2025/26, with Delap’s potential addition solely boosting their possibilities come the tip of Could.
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