Enzo Maresca has been handed a major selection headache in regards to the striker position ahead of Chelsea’s first Premier League game of the new season.
The Blues welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and the boss will need to decide who will start up front out of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
The duo have both got off to great starts to life at Chelsea, and they both found the net in the dominant victory over AC Milan in their final pre-season fixture.
Liam Delap vs Joao Pedro Chelsea stats Liam Delap Joao Pedro
Games 8 5
Goals 3 5
Assists 1 0
Both have joined the club with the expectation of starting games, and have made their case to Maresca to be named in the side to face Palace.
Joao Pedro celebrates during Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca should start Liam Delap up front for first game vs Crystal Palace
Many believed at the start of the Milan friendly that the side named by the manager was the one who would start the Premier League campaign, however Delap’s brace off the bench must have affected his thinking.
The Chelsea Chronicle is predicting that the former Ipswich Town man is set to start up front, however this does not mean that the in form Pedro is going to drop to the bench.
During his time at Brighton, the Brazilian featured in multiple positions, with one of those being off the left wing.
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Jamie Gittens impressed in pre-season, and will no doubt be pushing for a start, however in our side we are naming Pedro to start off the left, with Marc Cucurella doing a lot of work down the flank to support him wide.
The potential issue with starting both is not having a recognised option on the bench who can play up front, after the news that Nicolas Jackson is expected to leave Chelsea.
Liam Delap celebrates during Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Chelsea’s attack around Pedro and Delap
When making any predictions about how a Chelsea side will line up at the moment, Cole Palmer is one of the first names on the teamsheet, and this remains the case ahead of Sunday.
Given how important the England international is, he is likely to occupy the free-roaming central role in attack, leaving just the right-wing spot up for grabs.
Estevao Willian excited many with his debut goal against Bayer Leverkusen, however we believe the manager is going to ease him into proceedings rather than throw him straight into the starting side.
This clears the way for Pedro Neto, who ended last season very well and was one of the top performing Blues at the Club World Cup.