With Chelsea's ambitious squad rebuild continuing under Enzo Maresca, the competition for the coveted No. 9 spot has intensified. The arrival of João Pedro has injected new quality into the frontline, while Liam Delap is quickly emerging as a serious contender. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson faces mounting pressure amid growing internal competition. Following John Obi Mikel’s public prediction, the striker hierarchy at Chelsea appears to be shifting quietly—but significantly.
Instant Impact: Chelsea’s New Strikers Deliver on the World Stage
Both of Chelsea’s summer striker signings made early statements on football's biggest club stage. Liam Delap impressed on his debut getting an assist vs LAFC and scoring on his third appearance against ES Tunis. While João Pedro fired a brilliant brace in the semi-final against Fluminense to secure a spot in the final.
How does John Obi Mikel rank them?
🥇 1. João Pedro – The New Star Man
Signed from Brighton in early July for around £55 million, João Pedro has wasted no time in showing his quality. In just his second appearance for Chelsea, he scored twice off the bench to turn a 1–0 deficit into a 3–1 win over Fluminense, securing Chelsea's place in the Club World Cup final.
More than just the goals, Pedro’s sharp movement, link-up play, and composure have made him look like a natural fit in Maresca’s system. His performance not only justified the hefty fee but also instantly won over fans and teammates alike.
🥈 2. Liam Delap – A Quiet Climb
While he didn’t feature in the semi-final, Liam Delap’s presence in Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad ahead of Nicolas Jackson was telling. The 21-year-old has impressed Maresca in training and earned his place through consistency, pressing intelligence, and a hunger to prove himself on the big stage.
Mikel’s own comments suggested Jackson might soon find himself behind others in the pecking order—and Delap looks like the direct beneficiary. His youth, Premier League-ready physicality, and tactical discipline are traits Maresca values highly in a rotational striker role.
🥉 3. Nicolas Jackson – From Key Man to Uncertain Future?
Jackson’s first season at Chelsea was promising—14 Premier League goals in 2023–24, along with key contributions in the Conference League run. But discipline issues (including two red cards) and erratic finishing have cast doubt on his long-term suitability.
In the Club World Cup semi-final, Jackson was benched and later missed a clear-cut chance after coming on. Cole Palmer’s visible frustration told a larger story: the margin for error is shrinking for Jackson, especially with Pedro and Delap breathing down his neck.
John Obi Mikel believes Nicolas Jackson has slipped to third in Chelsea’s striker hierarchy, behind summer signings João Pedro and Liam Delap. Speaking after Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final win, Mikel pointed out the increased competition up front as a “great problem” for the club—but acknowledged that Jackson’s dip in form and recent benching reflect a shift in trust. Still, Mikel insists the 23-year-old has the talent and time to fight his way back into contention. With a long season ahead, squad depth will be crucial—and Jackson’s future may hinge on how he responds to the challenge.
John Obi Mikel believes that Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are ahead of Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order right now. pic.twitter.com/8upYi5BXrf
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) July 10, 2025
