“It’s another option” – Micah Richards makes interesting suggestion to get best out of Liam Delap | OneFootball

Micah Richards believes playing Liam Delap with Joao Pedro would help get the best out of the England under-21 international.

Delap started in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Friday night as the Blues advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Pedro Neto was the star of the show as he scored a hat-trick, whilst Estevao also got on the scoresheet, and Chelsea managed to keep a clean sheet.

Micah Richards on how to get the best out of Liam Delap

Rosenior made a number of changes to the line-up with Delap tasked with leading the line against the Championship highfliers.

Delap has struggled this season and has only managed two goals in 24 appearances, whilst he was guilty of missing a huge chance in the first half.

Richards has suggested playing Delap and Pedro together. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

However, Delap didn’t allow his head to drop, and put in an impressive second half performance, and ended the game with a hat-trick of assists.

After the game Richards was asked how to get the best out of Delap amid his struggles this season, and gave an interesting answer.

“It’s another option though. I think they could play together, Joao Pedro in as a number ten. Obviously Palmer is in there, Estevao, Neto, he’s got some competition,” he told BBC Sport.

“But in terms of what Joao Pedro does going really deep and Delap going in behind, I think they could make a really good partnership. In terms of what they could bring together, it’s an option.

“I think his movement’s too good. Sometimes, they all come towards the ball and become a little predictable, with Delap, you can’t be.”

Emmanuel Emegha arriving in the summer

Delap will need to continue to produce over the second half of the season, with yet another striker arriving in the summer.

Emmanuel Emegha has signed a seven year contract at Stamford Bridge, and will see the season out with Strasbourg.

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The Dutch international knows Liam Rosenior well having worked with him for 18 months, and scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

Emegha is expected to go straight into the first team squad to compete for minutes with the existing strikers.