Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "below standard".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is vital for a team facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the young English striker was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea deal with broader problems apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last season, is still to score this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no striker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the summer - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who sported it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, 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) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- 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 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a number that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
