Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the new recruit's availability is crucial for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite interest from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.
Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the conditioning element is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.
Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until the winter.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In moreover, the Blues are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
