New Chelsea recruit Liam Delap has embraced competition with Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson, seeing it as an opportunity to thrive at the club.
Delap, 22, came on for an impressive debut for the Blues in the 2-0 win over LAFC on Monday, since his £30 million move from Ipswich Town earlier in the month.
What happened
The Blues faced LAFC in the newly-expanded Club World Cup tournament at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, in goal for the MLS outfit, saved early on from Noni Madueke before Pedro Neto latched on to a precise pass by Nicolas Jackson to give Chelsea the lead.
Delap came on for his debut in the second half, making an instant impact with an impressive cameo off the bench.
The England U21 international first combined brilliantly with Cole Palmer, before showing his ability to hold up play brilliantly, setting up Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea’s second of the game.
Delap’s decision to skip the ongoing U21 European Championships to focus on the Club World Cup with Chelsea might be justified should he continue his impressive displays.
What Delap said
“It’s always healthy to have competition, it’s football and this is an incredible club”, he said when asked of his impending rivalry with Jackson for the starting position upfront for the Blues.
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“It’s always going to be hard but I think you’ve got to thrive off the competition. It’s really important to help the team but I want to score some as well.
It’s a really happy feeling for me. I’m so excited to be here and to play my first game and contribute. It’s a good feeling”, he added.
“They’ve welcomed me really well. I’ve only had a few sessions here but I can’t wait for even more.”
What next for the Blues?
Chelsea next face Brazilian side Flamengo on Friday before playing their last group game against Esperance Tunis next Tuesday.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
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