Delap Back in Action as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap returns in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the summer signing's return is crucial for a team facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a different kind of nine 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 Forward Line
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in 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 goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last term, is still to score this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no striker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In moreover, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, 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) - thirty strikes in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said 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 traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
