Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has publicly backed new £30 million signing Liam Delap to succeed Harry Kane as England’s leading striker. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup opener in Atlanta, Maresca said he has “no doubt” the 22-year-old can become the national team’s No 9, citing their previous work together when Delap scored 24 goals for Manchester City’s development side. Delap joined Chelsea from relegated Ipswich Town earlier this month and has inherited the club’s traditionally burdensome No 9 shirt. Maresca insisted no guarantees have been offered over a starting berth, stressing that the forward must out-perform Nicolas Jackson, who begins the tournament suspended following a red card against Flamengo. The Italy-born coach added that Delap’s familiarity with his tactical system, plus Champions League football, helped convince the player to choose Stamford Bridge over rival suitors. Delap, who scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season, said reaching the senior England squad has been an ambition since childhood and believes regular minutes at Chelsea will strengthen his World Cup prospects.