Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.
Maresca said the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the summer signing's return is crucial for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three setups in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront additional challenges beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Winger Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and forced 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 a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his last two games, but earlier got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in various cups no striker has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the first team to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been available since recently, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals 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) - no goals in 20 appearances
A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unfazed when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."