Enzo Maresca admits stylistic similarities between Chelsea target Liam Delap to Harry Kane & Erling Haaland - but Nicolas Jackson is his 'perfect' striker

Despite Ipswich Town's disappointing season in the Premier League, Delap has flourished for the Tractor Boys, scoring 12 league goal. As such, the former Manchester City striker has been linked with a number of top flight giants, including Chelsea. Blues boss Maresca has now claimed that the 22-year-old has stylistic similarities with the likes of Kane and Haaland.

Speaking to the media about Delap, Maresca said: "In terms of numbers, Liam [Delap] is doing fantastic. I think he's scored 12 [Premier League] goals already. It's not just in terms of his numbers. The way he plays and fights and is always 'there'. But he's an Ipswich player. He's an enemy on Sunday because we need to beat them, and then after the game, I wish him all the best for the future.

"To compare Liam [Delap] with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, I think it's a bit early. But for sure, in terms of style, he's that kind of player. They are all real nines. They are nines inside the box."

Despite his heavy praise of Delap, Maresca went on to say that Chelsea striker Jackson is still his 'perfect' striker due to the Senegalese showing good form with the Blues at the start of the season before his injury.

Maresca added: "My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a number nine. It's not summer now. If we can have a copy of Nico, it's OK. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team. Nico is the one we need.

"Last season, he scored goals without penalties. This season he scored goals until he was injured. Now, hopefully he can score more goals without penalties. We are happy with Nico. And about next season, it's not the moment [to talk about transfers].

"But we also have a good nine [in Nico Jackson]. He's doing well since we started. Unfortunately, we've missed him, and sometimes you need to miss players to realise how important they are for you. With Nico, we are a completely different team compared to when he was injured. We are happy with Nico as our striker."

Despite his admission, it is possible that Maresca may be enticed into making a move for Delap, considering he is unlikely to want to stay at Ipswich with them nearing demotion to the Championship. He will first have to contend with handling the striker when the Tractor Boys travel to Chelsea this weekend but the ex-Leicester boss will be aware that he will likely have a £30million release clause this summer.