Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a club facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite interest from 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 recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need 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 fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this league."
"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 give assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea confront wider issues beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his last two games, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no attacker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea followers believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unfazed when asked about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."
