The problem in the next season of coach Enzo Maresca is to use flexible rookie Delap, Joao Pedro, Gittens and Estevao, not to mention the stars available in the Chelsea squad.
Chelsea's transfer strategy since Todd Boehly and Blueco took over 2022 can be said to be extremely chaotic. The new owner group has made a clear recruitment plan: buying high potential young players regardless of price. This “burning and continuous” policy of “burning and changing” has caused Chelsea to have a lot of players on the payroll, which causes great headaches for coach Enzo Maresca.
The Italian strategist made it clear that he preferred a more compact squad for players to build understanding and motivation. However, the logic of having too many top scouts and sports director leads to more and more players will continue to be taken to the club.
They have increased the attack since the end of the season with Liam Delap from Ipswich for £ 30 million, Joao Pedro from Brighton for £ 60 million, Jamie Gittens from Dortmund for £ 48 million and Estevao from Palmeiras for £ 52 million. So how can Maresca be overcome this mess, and find a combination of old and new?
First talk about Liam Delap. Although Ipswich had to relegate last season, Delap was one of the most sought after strikers in the transfer window. Last season, Delap ended with 13 goals and 3 assists in all competitions. Compared to Nicolas Jackson, who has scored 13 goals and has 6 assists for a team to create more higher quality opportunities, Delap shows great potential.
One of the biggest criticisms for Jackson is the Senegal striker who often misses clear opportunities. He was strong in state switching phase and showed good movement, but the final finish was still relatively erratic.
Meanwhile, Delap is a sharp striker in small opportunities and is likely to take advantage of the cross and passes into the penalty area. This is the aspect of the gameplay that will bring the greatest benefit to Chelsea in upgrading this position compared to the previous season. Therefore, Delap is likely to start the 2025/26 season as Chelsea's main striker, with Jackson on the bench.
Next, signing a contract with Joao Pedro for £ 60 million a bit more confusing. This is because it is difficult to decide what the best position of the 23 -year -old striker is really.
Although it looks excellent when playing as an independent striker with two goals against Fluminense at the Club World Cup, Pedro likes to connect closely with his teammates. It is likely that Pedro is being planned to play as a left -left attack midfielder right behind Delap.
The Brazilian striker ended last season with 10 goals and 7 assists with this creative role for Brighton. Even when Pedro played as a striker in Brighton and Watford, he clearly showed the trend of deep backing towards the midfield and looking for gaps between the routes.
This is why Pedro will not be often played at No. 9 because Maresca needs some strikers, like Delap, always on the last route to threaten the space and repel the opponent's defense.
Jamie Gittens is also a versatile attacker like Pedro. He played 2,803 minutes in all competitions and ended the season with 12 goals and 5 assists. Gittens is right and often plays in the left -wing midfielder.
Chelsea had difficulty maintaining stable performance from the last season winger, with Noni Madueke is probably the best border attack player The Blues has. With Madueke's high likelihood, Gittens' time has arrived.
Gittens will achieve the best performance when he receives the ball in places where he can dribble in situations 1. Gittens is still not complete but he is a young player with real and clear potential. Often Chelsea is too easy to guess when receiving the ball at the border and Gittens can completely change this. If favorable, he will start a new season as a player who attacks the left wing of Chelsea.
And finally Estevao. The most interesting player of the rookie is the most unpredictable person at this stage of development. Estevao is a left -footed player, best suited to the role of the right winger with the ability to stimulate the ball into the middle and finish.
It is still necessary to see if Estevao is immediately selected at Chelsea or whether he will reserve for players like Cole Palmer or even spend his first season in Europe on loan in Strasbourg (France). If he stayed at Chelsea and had the opportunity to play, he had enough qualities to contribute.
