Chelsea: Enzo Maresca issues verdict after Liam Delap scores first Blues goal

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Evening Standard

·25 June 2025

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca issues verdict after Liam Delap scores first Blues goal

The summer signing rolled off two defenders before a cool finish

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Enzo Maresca hailed a first goal in Chelsea colours for the club’s new signing Liam Delap, and insisted the Blues are continuing to “build a winning mentality”.

Delap scored a fine goal on his third appearance to open his account for the Blues as they ran out 3-0 winners over ES Tunis to reach the Club World Cup knockout stages.

Goals from Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyrique George earned a convincing victory over the Tunisian outfit and set up a last-16 meeting with Benfica, who won Group C ahead of Bayern Munich.

Chelsea’s victory came despite scorching temperatures in Philadelphia, as the city experienced its hottest day in 31 years.

“I’m very happy,” Maresca reflected after his side’s victory. “We wanted the win to continue to build a winning mentality. And I think the players, they were good, and now we can think for the next one.”

Maresca said of Delap’s well-taken maiden Chelsea goal: “it’s a good feeling for him. It's good feeling for the team-mates, and we are happy to have him with us.”

The Italian insisted the Blues will prepare properly ahead of what will be their first meeting with Benfica since the 2013 Europa League final.

He added: “Now, we just finished the [ES Tunis] game. We have two or three days to prepare again. With these conditions, we're going to try to do our best.”