Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the summer signing's comeback is crucial for a team facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. 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 "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with additional challenges apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not expected return from a groin injury until the winter.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that 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 joint top scorers with four goals.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the first team to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers 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 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A central player and backline player are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
