Delap Returns as Chelsea Look to Address Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap returns in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a side facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite interest from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is important. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront broader problems beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his last two games, but earlier found the net just once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods 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 Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been vacant since last year, and players who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A engine room operator and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.
"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 enjoy and there's no pressure."
