Enzo Maresca on Chelsea vs Ipswich, Liam Delap interest and Nicolas Jackson’s role

Enzo Maresca turned his attention to the Premier League just moments after Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Conference League. With only seven games remaining in the league season, the Blues prepare to welcome Ipswich Town to Stamford Bridge on Sunday — and the head coach had plenty to say about the match, his players, and the summer ahead.

Chelsea gaining momentum at the right time
Maresca acknowledged the importance of the result and performance against Legia. "Winning the way we did was important for momentum. I don’t think we lacked confidence before, but results like that always help." He also explained some of the tactical changes. "We planned the substitutions — Cole and Tosin at halftime — just like we did against Brentford. Legia was a mix: protecting some players and giving others rest."

Ipswich clash will be no walk in the park
Looking ahead to Sunday, Maresca said: "It will be a tough game, no doubt. Every team has something to fight for right now. Ipswich want to finish strong and prove themselves. We need to be ready."

Liam Delap praised but firmly in Chelsea’s sights
Liam Delap, who has impressed with 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich, was naturally a hot topic. "In terms of numbers, he’s doing fantastic. He plays, fights, and is always involved. But on Sunday, he’s the enemy. We need to stop him."

Asked if Chelsea have a specific plan to deal with Delap, Maresca added: "He’s doing it against every team — not just us. We need to do much better than in the first game, where he caused us problems."
While he acknowledged Delap’s potential, Maresca was careful not to get carried away. "It’s early to compare him to Kane or Haaland, but in terms of style, yes — he’s a real No.9, a box player. Those players are rare now."

Confidence in Nicolas Jackson remains strong
Despite the growing conversation around Delap and traditional No.9s, Maresca reaffirmed his belief in Nicolas Jackson. "My perfect No.9 is exactly Nico Jackson. He’s the one we need. You only realise how important a player is when you miss him."

Maresca continued: "He scored goals without penalties last season, and again this season before the injury. Hopefully he can do the same now. We’re happy with Nico."
When asked if he’d like another striker, Maresca joked: "If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s OK. But right now, it’s not summer. It’s not the time to talk about next season."