Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca stated the young striker will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the summer signing's comeback is vital for a team facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of securing honors this term.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was below expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "For sure the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.
Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in 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 games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in various cups no striker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Queried whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the summer - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and footballers 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) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A engine room operator and defender are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
