Paul Merson has told Enzo Maresca to start Liam Delap over Joao Pedro in Friday night’s London derby against West Ham.
The Blues were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener, leaving fans unconvinced after a summer of heavy investment. Now Maresca faces an early test of his tactical judgement with another capital clash.
Pedro, a £60m signing from Brighton this summer, struggled for impact against Palace despite being a pre-season standout at the Club World Cup. But Merson believes Delap’s physicality makes him the right man to lead the line against a rugged West Ham backline.
The Hammers themselves opened with a gritty 1-1 draw away to Wolves, and will look to make Friday night’s clash at London Stadium a battle of strength as much as skill.
Merson: Why Delap Fits the Derby Better
“I would play Liam Delap in this game. West Ham are quite physical at the back, and that might not suit Joao Pedro. Delap is good with his back to goal and can hold the ball up well. Away from home, he’s a better fit than Pedro in my opinion.” — Paul Merson, Sportskeeda
Merson’s comments add to the growing debate over how Maresca should use his new-look attack, with Pedro and Delap both fighting for minutes alongside Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling.
Joao Pedro vs West Ham – The Record That Haunts Him
| Player | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joao Pedro vs WHU | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Liam Delap vs WHU | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
source: sofascore match data – 21 August 2025
Pedro has failed to win in six attempts against West Ham, with zero goals or assists. Delap, meanwhile, boasts three wins from three, plus a goal and assist.
While records aren’t everything, the contrast adds weight to Merson’s argument ahead of a key fixture.
Analyst Verdict
Joao Pedro’s quality isn’t in question — his ability to create chances and stretch defences has already made him a fan favourite. But his tendency to struggle against physical opposition could see him neutralised by the Irons’ centre-backs.
Delap, by contrast, offers hold-up play and aerial presence. From reviewing his recent minutes, he times his back-to-goal movements better and allows Chelsea’s midfield to push higher. In a tough away derby, that profile may suit Maresca’s system more effectively.
Key Insights
- Paul Merson says Delap should start over Pedro vs West Ham.
- Pedro cost Chelsea £60m from Brighton this summer.
- His record vs the Hammers: 6 games, 0 goals, 0 wins.
- Delap: 3 games, 3 wins, 1 goal, 1 assist vs West Ham.
- Chelsea drew 0-0 with Palace in their opener.
What’s Next
Chelsea head into Friday’s derby looking for their first win under Maresca. A decision on Pedro vs Delap could shape the outcome, with West Ham unlikely to make life easy in front of their home fans.
With Manchester City looming after the derby, the pressure is already on Maresca to show adaptability. Whether he sticks with the £60m man or listens to Merson’s advice could be telling for Chelsea’s early-season momentum.
Should Enzo Maresca drop £60m Joao Pedro for Liam Delap against West Ham — or trust his Brazilian star to finally deliver in a derby?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *