Delap Back in Action as The Blues Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap returns in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's return is important for a club facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of winning a trophy this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below expensive recruit 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 United States. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Definitely the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea confront broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Winger Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has zero strikes and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one setup - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen games in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and players who donned 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) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- 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 score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defender are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."
