Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a side facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea face wider issues in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a groin problem until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last season, is yet to find the net this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his last two games, but earlier got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in all competitions no attacker has more than two goals, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.
Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this season.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since recently, and squad members who donned it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
