Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca offered a positive update on Liam Delap ahead of the UCL trip to Atalanta.
A Timely Lift On Liam Delap For Chelsea
Chelsea head into Bergamo after a rough stretch in the PL. The Blues only took a single point from games they should have handled better. That slip pushed them out of the top four and raised a few alarms around the club. In addition, losing Liam Delap to a shoulder issue against Bournemouth felt like another punch they didn’t need.
The young striker had to leave the pitch early, and the worry around his condition grew fast. With Atalanta waiting and Chelsea short on confidence, the concern was real.
During his pre-match press conference, Maresca finally brought a bit of calm. “Liam, fortunately, there is no fracture, which is good news,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference.
Although, it doesn’t mean Delap is ready to return right away. But, knowing there’s no serious damage changes the mood around the squad.
Chelsea’s Next Steps
Delap will still miss the Atalanta clash, but this update helps steady the atmosphere around Cobham. A long-term injury would have left the Blues short of options up front during a key stretch of the season. Instead, Maresca can plan with a bit more confidence, knowing Delap’s recovery should be quicker than first feared.
That said, the West London side still needs a response. The past week exposed gaps in tempo, sharpness, and decision-making. Without Delap, others now carry the responsibility to deliver away from home in a tricky UCL fixture. Maresca’s message was simple: stay calm, stay focused, and treat the Italian trip as a chance to reset.
Author’s Opinion:
This update doesn’t fix Chelsea’s broader issues, but it does remove one major worry. Delap’s return will add needed energy to the front line. Maresca will hope this small boost sparks a better run of form.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
