Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and goal contributions as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in August.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a club facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of securing honors this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite interest from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 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 deal with broader problems beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin problem until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is without a goal this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in 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 first division this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers feel the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and footballers who donned 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 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals 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 score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances
A midfielder and backline player are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
