Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the new recruit's comeback is vital for a club facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Seleção attacker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea face broader problems beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not expected return from a lower body issue until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is without a goal this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but before that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans feel the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and footballers who donned it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games
A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the curse. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
