Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of winning a trophy this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55m signing 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 America. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When queried about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the City striker."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not expected return from a groin problem until December.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last term, is without a goal this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his past two matches, but earlier got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this term.
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 vacant since 2023, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with nine on their back.
But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
