Chelsea's Delap Struggles to Convince
Chelsea's ongoing search for a reliable striker continues to dominate discussions, with Liam Delap's early form raising fresh concerns among supporters who feel the club have taken a step backwards after loaning out Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea's Risky Gamble Up Front
Chelsea spent heavily in the summer yet still look short of a proper centre forward. For me, Liam Delap has not shown enough to suggest he belongs at this level. A couple of goals here and there do not change the wider picture. His all-round play has been poor, he is not offering the basics you expect from a Premier League striker and defenders barely look troubled by him. Technically he has struggled and that has added to the frustration.
It makes the club's decision to move on from Jackson even more confusing. Replacing him with a striker associated with relegation battles felt like a backwards step. Chelsea now find themselves without a reliable No 9 and the fans know it. Among the top sides in the league, it is hard to argue that anyone has a weaker striking option right now and yet the issue is rarely acknowledged publicly.
The worry is simple: if Chelsea want consistency across the season, they need a proven, experienced forward who can lead the line with authority. Without that, the same problems will repeat themselves.
Jackson's Value and a Missed Opportunity
When I said Jackson deserved more time, many supporters pushed back, but his contribution was always bigger than the goals column suggested. Between Jackson and Delap, I do not think it is close. Jackson brings far more to the attack, he works hard and links play effectively. He helped elevate players like Palmer and Neto, giving them the platform to shine. His movement, work-rate and physical presence all added layers to Chelsea's forward play, even if he occasionally missed chances.
Shipping him out so quickly felt rash and now, with injuries piling up, the club suddenly want him back. Bayern are likely to consider keeping him beyond his loan, but Chelsea would be making a huge mistake if they let that happen. There is still so much more in Jackson's game and with proper coaching he could be a long-term asset.
Ideally, you look for someone like Osimhen to come in and lead the line, but even then Jackson is worth keeping. He offers qualities Delap simply does not and Chelsea cannot afford to overlook that again.
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