Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca open to exploring Jackson/Delap partnership

The Blues concluded Delap’s move to Stamford Bridge in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA and the former Ipswich forward impressed in his debut – coming off the bench to set up a goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC on Monday in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Jackson led the line but made way for Delap in what is likely to be a familiar sight during the upcoming English Premier League season, however Maresca is open to exploring with the duo. 

"That's a good question, I don't think we played once with two strikers together but if we can with Nic and Liam we can play some game together. They are both the same position, both strikers. We used to play with one striker but as I said if some games can happen that we can play two strikers, we will see," Maresca said.

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Chelsea have now set up base in Philadelphia for their next two group stage matches against Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis. 

Maresca admits he’s not seen much of Pennsylvania, but the reception has been warm. 

"I'm laughing because I just know the hotel and the training grounds, I didn't see nothing about the city, so I can talk about the hotel if you want and the training ground, they received us very good," he added. 

Meanwhile, the Italian-born mentor revealed he was yet to reach out to Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger was charged by the FA for violating doping rules and given less than a month to respond. 

"I spoke with Mykhailo in Poland when we played the conference league final, I didn't speak with him since that time. I didn't see the news, they communicated with me last night but there is nothing at the moment that I can add because I don't have more information about that."