Delap Returns as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is coming back from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the recent acquisition's return is crucial for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "shielded".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with wider issues in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until December.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one goal contribution 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, eighteen, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is still to score this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After 13 matches in every tournament no striker has more than two goals, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and players who wore it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- 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) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A engine room operator and backline player are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament.
"In the final analysis it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."