Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be phased in "slowly", and the recent acquisition's return is crucial for a side facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Definitely the physical part is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his last two games, but prior to that got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
- 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 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a number that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
