Delap Back in Action as The Blues Look to Address Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available 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 August.
Maresca commented the young striker will be phased in "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is vital for a side facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a superb talent, 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."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea face broader problems beyond their strikers 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 problem until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and a single assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last term, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.
After 13 matches in all competitions no attacker has more than two goals, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your shirt. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
