Delap Returns as Chelsea Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca said the emerging talent will be phased in "carefully", and the summer signing's return is vital for a side facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront wider issues in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one setup - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.
After 13 matches in all competitions no attacker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this campaign.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score 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 argue Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."
