Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's availability 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 term.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "For sure the physical part is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but earlier got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games 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 absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this term.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea followers feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals 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 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games
A central player and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the curse. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a number that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
