Chelsea predicted XI vs Flamengo – Liam Delap starts as Romeo Lavia ditched
Enzo Maresca is set to make changes to his Chelsea lineup for the second game of the West Londoners’ Club World Cup campaign.
The Stamford Bridge club are set for their most difficult game of the summer so far, as they take on a Flamengo side who sit top of the Brazilian Serie A table on Friday, 20 June.
Enzo Maresca’s men successfully defeated LAFC 2-0 in their opening game on Monday, 16 June, with goals arriving from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez either side of half-time.
Striker Liam Delap was omitted from Maresca’s starting 11 against the MLS side, but the summer signing enjoyed an impressive debut off the bench, creating an assist for Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Flamengo beat Tunisian club Esperance 2-0 on Tuesday, 17 June, and will be as determined as Chelsea to maintain their 100 per cent winning record in the Club World Cup.
One of Friday’s most intriguing narratives is that the Brazilian club’s manager is former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis.
Delap set to make full Chelsea debut as Romeo Lavia dropped
After Delap produced a well-crafted cross to assist Fernandez on Monday, the former Ipswich Town man has proven he is worthy of a spot in Maresca’s starting 11 for the Flamengo clash.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion would place Nicolas Jackson on the substitutes’ bench, even though he also made an assist against LAFC.
Meanwhile, after Romeo Lavia struggled on Monday and was replaced by Fernandez at half-time, the 21-year-old now appears set to be dropped in favour of the Argentina international.
Chelsea could make some tweaks elsewhere, such as allowing Trevoh Chalobah to enjoy a starting berth in defence.
However, the likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Noni Madueke should all remain in the lineup for a potentially difficult test.
Delap to shine against Flamengo
Football Insider verdict
Delap should be feeling enormously confident after the assist he notched against LAFC on Monday, and should not struggle to score his first Chelsea goal if Maresca hands him a deserved starting 11 spot against Flamengo on Friday.
Although Luis’ men should not be underestimated, the Blues are capable of creating plenty of chances against the Brazilian Serie A outfit, which the former Ipswich man will be able to profit from.
Delap’s performance against LAFC indicates that he has settled into life with the West Londoners well, bolstered by the fact that he worked alongside Palmer and Maresca in his Manchester City youth days.
Should the 22-year-old establish a rich vein of form in the Club World Cup, he could soon establish himself as Chelsea’s first-choice striker in the Premier League next season.
Meanwhile, the fact that the Blues are participating in next season’s Champions League hands them the opportunity to rotate between Delap and Jackson.