Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Striker Issues
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a important period for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "below standard".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the recent acquisition's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of securing honors this season.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Manchester United, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the conditioning element is important. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with wider issues beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until the winter.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and a single assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is without a goal this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his last two games, but before that got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this season.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the summer - is cursed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances
A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the curse. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
