Chelsea fans make their mind up on who should start at striker in Club World Cup final against PSG
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will have some key decisions to make when he picks the starting XI for another cup final.
On Sunday, Chelsea meet a very strong Paris Saint-Germain outfit in the final of the Club World Cup.
The Blues did win their most recent cup final, beating Real Betis back in May to lift the Conference League. The likelihood is it will be a much tougher assignment to overcome PSG this weekend, though.
Perhaps the most interesting position at Chelsea right now is the central striker role, where there are three main options competing for the role.
Nicolas Jackson has been the main No.9 at Stamford Bridge across the previous two seasons, but he now faces major competition from summer signings Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Incidentally, Delap is very much a conventional centre-forward, while Jackson and Pedro are a bit more versatile, as they can cover multiple attacking roles if needed.
| Player | Age | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| Nicolas Jackson | 24 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 |
| Liam Delap | 22 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 284 |
| Joao Pedro | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 96 |
Gary Lineker suggested Delap could be Chelsea’s next great striker after making a positive start at his new club.
However, with Delap suspended for the semi-final victory against Fluminense, Pedro scored two stunning goals on his first Blues start after spearheading the attack.
- READ MORE: Thiago Silva drops his Joao Pedro verdict after watching his ‘special’ Chelsea display vs Fluminense
Chelsea fans want Liam Delap to lead the line against PSG
A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media agree that Delap should return to the starting line-up to play as the striker against PSG. Many feel that his physicality could threaten the French giants, while Pedro could remain in the team by shifting over to a wide position.
Here are Blues fans on X urging Maresca to pick Delap in the Club World Cup final…
One fan wrote: “Delap has to start. His work rate and movement can really unsettle PSG’s defence.”
“Seeing PSG tonight made me think we might need to start with Liam Delap on Sunday with Joao Pedro left side and Pedro Neto right. I don’t fancy us playing through their press constantly so the option to go long seems more important. Delap provides that,” another posted.
One supporter commented: “Delap is a MUST start. We need his physicality to draw fouls and retain possession. PSG have insane off the ball movement out of possession, meaning there’s always a danger of losing the ball in transition. Delap physical hold up might disrupt that.”
“Delap has done enough to get a start he allows us to go long and play direct,” another shared.
One fan said: “Play the normal formation with Joao Pedro on the wing and Liam Delap as striker.”
Alan Shearer approved of Delap’s transfer to Chelsea, claiming the £30m deal was a no-brainer.
It looked like he would be battling it out for the striker role with Jackson, but the addition and instant impact of Pedro has shaken things up again.
Enzo Maresca likely to upset some of his attackers
We expect there will be some very disappointed individuals in the Chelsea dressing room once Maresca picks his starting line-up against PSG.
Delap rejected many clubs to join Chelsea in the summer transfer window, and his aim must be to become the club’s first-choice striker. If he’s left out of the team for a cup final, it would be a blow so early into his Blues career.
It feels like Pedro’s earned the right to keep his starting position after a sensational semi-final performance. Could Maresca pull a surprise by starting both him and Delap together, though?
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