Chelsea bounced back from their previous defeat to Flamengo with a confident performance in the sweltering heat of Philadelphia, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Espérance.
The win not only helped them progress to the Round of 16 but also gave fans a glimpse of the squad's depth and promising young talents.
Liam Delap Opens His Chelsea Account
One of the major highlights of the evening was young striker Liam Delap scoring his first goal in Chelsea colours. Starting in place of the suspended Nicolas Jackson, Delap made the most of his opportunity, showcasing physicality and sharp movement inside the box. His well-taken strike doubled Chelsea’s lead just before the break and showed exactly why manager Enzo Maresca rates him highly.
Maresca, speaking after the match, expressed his confidence in Delap’s integration into the system. “We expected the process with Liam to be quite quick because he knows us and we know him,” said the Chelsea boss, who fielded a heavily rotated squad for this match.
Rotated Squad Delivers Under Pressure
The Italian tactician made eight changes to the starting XI, giving a chance to several fringe and young players. Chelsea shuffled their lineup, handing a start to goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, giving Christopher Nkunku a rare chance to lead the attack, and offering youngster Josh Acheampong some important game time. Despite the rotations, Chelsea looked in control for the majority of the match.
The opening 10 minutes were sluggish, largely due to the extreme weather conditions in Philadelphia temperatures were still 35°C at kickoff with high humidity. But Chelsea eventually found their rhythm. Chelsea took the lead in the first half when Tosin Adarabioyo nodded in a precise cross from Enzo Fernandez. Soon after, Liam Delap doubled the advantage with a calm finish after a strong driving run into the box.
Madueke, Nkunku Impress in Attack
Noni Madueke stood out with his pace and trickery on the flanks, while Nkunku drifted into dangerous spaces throughout the first half. Although the Frenchman still appears to be adjusting to Maresca’s tactical system, he looked sharp and might still have a role to play if he stays beyond the summer.
Chelsea continued to control proceedings in the second half, with substitutes Tyrique George and Marc Guiu testing the Espérance keeper. George finally added the third goal with a long-range strike that slipped past a shaky Ben Said, sealing the win in the closing stages.
VAR Drama, Tactical Depth and Future Prospects
There was a brief moment of controversy when Chelsea were awarded a penalty following a handball, only for it to be overturned after a VAR check. Andrey Santos, another young talent, made a late appearance and nearly made an instant impact.
This performance was a statement of depth from Maresca’s Chelsea. While Flamengo topped the group, Chelsea’s second-place finish allows them to avoid a Round of 16 clash with Bayern Munich. Instead, they now face Benfica a formidable side, but arguably a more manageable challenge.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With qualification sealed and stars like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Reece James getting a breather, Chelsea now turn their attention to gaining rhythm and confidence heading into the knockout rounds. The clash with Benfica will be a real test of character and squad depth, especially in the absence of Nicolas Jackson.