Chelsea's Liam Delap Ends No.9 Curse with Club World Cup Goal

Liam Delap, Chelsea's new £30 million signing from Ipswich Town, has made an immediate impact by scoring his first goal for the club during their 3-0 victory over ES Tunis, which secured Chelsea's progression to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. Delap's goal, a composed finish just before halftime, was a key moment for the 22-year-old striker, who has quickly dispelled superstitions surrounding the Chelsea No. 9 shirt, stating it is "just a number" and emphasizing the importance of confidence. His strong physical presence combined with sharp finishing skills has made him a promising option upfront, especially with fellow striker Nicolas Jackson suspended for the upcoming last-16 match against Benfica. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca rotated the squad due to extreme heat conditions but still secured a comfortable win, with midfield captain Enzo Fernandez contributing assists, including one for Delap's goal. Chelsea now face Benfica in the next round, with a potential path to the quarterfinals against Brazilian clubs, highlighting Delap's potential significance in their Club World Cup campaign. The striker's early success and positive performances have revived hope that Chelsea has finally found a reliable number nine after previous struggles with the shirt.