Enzo Maresca has told Liam Delap to “be patient” as the striker waits for his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.
Delap has started successive league games for the Blues but has drawn criticism for his performances in the 3-0 win against Wolves before the international break and Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley.
Since then, the 22-year-old has failed to find the net, while the Brazil forward Joao Pedro, another summer signing, has scored four times.
Chelsea signed Delap in the 10-day transfer window before the Club World Cup by triggering the £30million relegation release clause he had inserted into his Ipswich contract.
Asked after the Burnley game what Delap should do to kickstart his Chelsea career, Maresca said: “Be patient. There is no doubt that the goal will arrive and the way he worked today was very important.
“Liam is also that kind of striker that you as a defender are always worried when he's around you, so that's also good for the team.”
Ahead of facing Barcelona and Arsenal in the coming week, Maresca said: “We are confident. We are confident we are doing well. Today we could have done many, many things better, for sure, no doubt.
“But at the end it was important to win the game. But we are confident and we are ready to prepare Tuesday and Sunday.”
