Delap Back in Action as The Blues Seek to Fix Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is crucial for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of securing honors this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, notably in this division."
"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 create chances but he's a different kind of nine to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until the winter.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no striker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.
Queried whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the first division this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers think the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
