Liam Delap showcased his talent in Chelsea’s final friendly match before the new season, scoring two goals in a commanding 4-1 victory over AC Milan. The encounter at Stamford Bridge brought an end to Chelsea’s penultimate pre-season match. Only 48 hours prior, they were basking in the glow of a speedy 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen that capped their third straight victory. Still under the management of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea arguably look even more prepared as they head into the 2023/24 season.
Delap’s first goal came from the penalty spot, where he confidently hammered the ball low to goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s right, giving Chelsea an early lead. His second one was even better. He announced his shot-taking quality with a coolly-taken first-time strike – riding a sumptuous pass from fellow winger Andrey Santos. These objectives highlight Delap’s capability as one of the Premier League’s up-and-coming young attackers this season.
A Strong Start to the Match
Chelsea quickly went to work establishing their superiority over AC Milan. Following a goal-filled beginning, they doubled their lead when Joao Pedro was taken down in the area and they got a deserved penalty. Delap then stepped up to take the penalty, showing beautiful composure and precision.
“I am very happy to score at Stamford Bridge. I think I enjoyed this pre-season, two goals in two games. Now, we need to rest and start well in the Premier League.” – Joao Pedro
The opening goal softened up a nervous Manchester City defence, Chelsea’s attack. Wide players Ryan Gauld and Cristian Dajome did well to keep pressure on AC Milan forcing mistakes out of their defense in the opening 45 minutes. As each minute passed, it felt more and more like Chelsea was running the show.
Delap’s Impact on the Game
Under-21 star Liam Delap’s explosion onto the scene certainly caught the eye of his manager. And manager Enzo Maresca seems happy with Delap’s contributions to the cause so far. The competition between Delap and Joao Pedro, Clarke said, is what he’s been looking for – and needing – on a consistent basis.
“I don’t want to say competition, I think it is very good for Chelsea to have both strikers at a good level. In the last game, he did not score. Today, he scored two goals. I am very happy for him.” – Maresca
Delap’s header early in the second half proved to be the winning goal. This milestone guaranteed his place in the roster as they prepare for the serious business of competitive play. His double against AC Milan proved crucial to gain some momentum ahead of their Premier League opener.
Closing Out Pre-Season on a High Note
Chelsea capped a brilliant pre-season by defeating AC Milan. They finished that series on a high note, having won two straight games in impressive fashion. Their most recent competitive game was a month ago in the final of the Club World Cup. This most recent victory really gave the squad a sense of confidence and belief.
Reece James, reflecting on the team’s performance said, “It is always a sign when you lift a trophy. We finished last season really strong with two trophies. It is a good feeling at the moment.” While this sentiment betrays the team’s overall focus, it does reflect their commitment to maintain their National Champions momentum going into a new season.
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