Chelsea vs West Ham: Maresca’s Striker Dilemma and Pundits’ Bold Predictions
The build-up to Chelsea’s trip to the London Stadium tonight has been dominated by one big talking point: who will Enzo Maresca trust to lead the line, Joao Pedro or Liam Delap? Both strikers arrived this summer, both eager to make their mark, and the debate is growing louder as kickoff approaches.
Maresca has kept his options open, making it clear that he values what each player can bring. Pedro, he explained, is versatile enough to play across the entire front line, whether wide, tucked inside, or just behind the striker. He offers creativity and movement in spaces, making him a flexible option in attack. Delap, meanwhile, provides raw physicality. His ability to run in behind defenders, hold the ball up, and battle against strong backlines makes him a very different weapon for Chelsea. Against Crystal Palace in the opening match, Pedro started but struggled to find much space. Delap was brought on late, adding energy and presence up top.
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Maresca admitted that both forwards are capable of scoring goals for Chelsea, and he even hinted they might be used together at some stage. But with West Ham expected to sit deep and make life difficult, the choice of who starts tonight feels particularly important.
Outside voices have added fuel to the discussion. Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has urged Maresca to start Delap, calling this a “must-win” for Chelsea. He argued that West Ham’s physical defence would be more effectively challenged by Delap than Pedro. Merson went as far as to predict a narrow 1-0 Chelsea win, but only if Delap is given the nod. He also didn’t hold back on West Ham, describing them as the Premier League’s worst side after their disastrous 3-0 defeat to Sunderland on opening weekend.
Other pundits have echoed the sentiment. Chris Sutton labeled West Ham “anaemic” and tipped Chelsea for a 2-0 win. Sky Sports analyst Lewis Jones also backed Chelsea, pointing out that while the Blues failed to convert their chances against Palace, they completely dominated possession and created enough opportunities. In his view, the problem lies more with West Ham, who look toothless under Graham Potter and already face serious pressure.
Still, it’s not all straightforward. Chelsea’s new-look attack—Pedro, Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Estevao Willian—remains unproven in the Premier League. Cole Palmer, the key creative outlet last season, is still searching for form. Maresca admitted he was happy with how many chances Chelsea created last year, but injuries to strikers hurt them badly. If his new recruits can stay fit and sharp, the goals should eventually come.
Tonight, the atmosphere at the London Stadium will be tense. West Ham are desperate to avoid back-to-back defeats, while Chelsea know anything less than a win would feel like a step backward. Whether it’s Pedro, Delap, or even both, the spotlight will shine brightest on the man chosen to wear the number nine. And as Maresca himself said, the good news is that whichever striker gets the nod, the goals will come.
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