Chelsea began their Club World Cup campaign on Monday night with a 2-0 victory against MLS outfit Los Angeles FC.
Pedro Neto scored in the first half for the Blues before Enzo Fernandez doubled their advantage in the second period.
This means that Enzo Maresca’s side picked up three points in Group D in the Club World Cup. Next, they face Brazilian club Flamengo on Friday night, who beat ES Tunis 2-0 in their group opener.
An interesting subplot of Chelsea’s win against LAFC was the No.9 position. Nicolas Jackson started and played just over an hour in the striker role. Then Liam Delap made his Chelsea debut with a lively cameo off the bench.
Jackson provided a superb assist for Neto’s goal with a through ball after some eye-catching dribbling on the halfway line. Unlike the last couple of years, the 23-year-old’s now under more pressure from within the squad because of Delap’s arrival to compete for a starting position in attack.
Delap, 22, created an assist of his own with a brilliant cross into Fernandez’s path for the Blues’ second goal.
Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Chelsea fans want to see Nicolas Jackson move position
Following Chelsea’s success against LAFC, many of their fans on X suggested that Blues head coach Maresca should consider playing Jackson in a different role.
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They would like to see the Senegalese attacker play on the left rather than down the middle.
One fan wrote: “This game made me curious as to how the team could look with a Delap ST and Jackson LW.”
“Maresca should give Jackson a go in LW in CWC. He has a good potential to be an elite LW,” another commented.
One supporter posted: “Jackson looks so good everywhere on the pitch except in the box. Just make him LW.”
“Try Jackson left wing next game with Delap up top, want to see something,” another shared.
Finally, one fan said: “I think is time for Maresca to try playing Jackson from the left wing while Delap plays as a centre-forward.”
Back in August 2024, Maresca admitted Jackson can cover as a winger, but he sees him as a central striker. He followed that up by using him as the frontline centre-forward for the entire 2024/25 season.
Jackson is a bit unhappy at Chelsea because of the club’s recruitment drive to improve the attack.
If Jackson wants to be the main man for the Blues, he needs to be prepared to fight off competition on a regular basis.
Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Impressive Nicolas Jackson stats vs LAFC
John Obi Mikel praised Jackson after the Chelsea forward’s display against LAFC.
Here is a look at some eye-catching statistics from the Blues frontman in the Club World Cup success.
Minutes played Goals Assists Total shots Chances created Successful dribbles Touches in opposition box Match rating
64 0 1 2 3 2/4 (50%) 6 8.1
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson vs Los Angelas FC via FOTMOB
With Delap now added to the Chelsea squad, Jackson can’t afford to coast if he wants to retain his position as the first-choice striker. It will be interesting to see the pair fight it out at this summer’s Club World Cup competition.
While Jackson does have the versatility to play as a left forward, we would much prefer to see him and Delap fight it out for one starting role in the 2025/26 campaign.