Enzo Maresca
Chelsea’s attacking options have been impacted by the ongoing absence of striker Liam Delap, who has been out with a hamstring injury since August 30. As Delap nears a return to full training, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that the 22-year-old is expected to be available next month. In the meantime, Joao Pedro has been filling in as the No.9, though his suitability for this role has been questioned.
Emile Heskey said: “I really like Joao Pedro, but I don’t think he’s a proper No.9. The reason I say that is because he wants to be on the ball all the time – he wants to take on players and dribble when he’s in possession, whereas an ‘out and out’ striker stays high, gets involved a little bit, and creates space for others. He can sometimes look a bit isolated when tasked with being the lone striker. I think Joao Pedro is better suited to a No.10 role, where he’s getting on the ball and creating havoc by pulling players out of their positions. We saw against Nottingham Forest after Chelsea brought on Marc Guiu that he became much more involved, and space began to open up. I think that’s the approach Chelsea need to take with their attack while Liam Delap is injured.”
Enzo Maresca said: “I think Joao can play in all the attacking positions for us. The difference is with Nico [Jackson], I see him as just a No.9 but I see Joao in different positions.”
Joao Pedro said: “When I arrived in the USA, Enzo said: ‘I want you as a No.9. In training, he says, ‘Joao, you need to be more clinical in this part, make a touch to the right here.’ I love this kind of coach. If you don’t get feedback, it’s difficult to improve.”
The debate over Joao Pedro’s best position comes at a crucial time for Chelsea. The Brazilian forward, who was signed for £60 million from Brighton, has been seen as a versatile player capable of operating in various attacking roles. However, his current deployment as a central striker has sparked discussions about his effectiveness in this position.
Marc Guiu’s recent performance against Ajax, where he opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, further complicates Chelsea’s selection decisions. With Tyrique George replacing Guiu at half-time in the Champions League clash, Maresca may consider giving Guiu more opportunities, especially with Delap’s return still uncertain.
As Chelsea navigates this period without Delap, the club’s tactical approach will be under scrutiny. The decisions made in the coming matches could have significant implications for their attacking strategy and overall performance.
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