Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Striker Issues
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one setup - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in every tournament no attacker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers think the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the summer - is cursed. It had been available since 2023, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- 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 score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games
A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.
"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
