Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his squad's passes being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca stated the young striker will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is vital for a club facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with additional challenges apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last term, is still to score this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen games in every tournament no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- 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 scores in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."