Delap and Chelsea 'ready' despite short and 'different' pre-season

Chelsea striker Liam Delap says the lack of pre-season after winning the Club World Cup will not be a major issue for the squad.

The 23-year-old signed from Ipswich for £30m earlier in the summer impressed as the Blues won 4-1 against AC Milan in one of only two friendlies the club have been able to fit in after becoming world champions.

Delap scored twice on Sunday having also played in the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Friday and said of the group will handle the less-than-two-week pre-season.

"It's obviously different to what we're used to," Delap said. "We've had a short break and a really short lead-up to the first game. But everyone's done the right things and it's a really good group, so I'm sure we'll be OK.

"We've all got the right mindset that it's not going to get in our way. We're going to be ready."

The two goals for Delap were important given his competition for a place with fellow new signing Joao Pedro.

The Brazil forward has five goals in five games since joining the club - including one against Milan and another against Leverkusen in the two domestic pre-season games at Stamford Bridge.

"The quality of the team is incredible," Delap added. "We've got some really, really talented people.

"The competitive side that you need in big teams to compete for the trophies is so important.

"Everyone is ready and everyone's ready to fight in each game. I've just got to try my best and they've got to try their best, and hopefully we can do it together.

"As a striker, to score goals is the aim. Every time I step on the pitch I'm hungry to score."