Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's return is important for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite interest from the Red Devils, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing 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 £51m package, but has just two strikes and one setup - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in every tournament no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Queried whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the Premier League, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers believe the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and footballers 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 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games
A midfielder and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."
