Delap Returns as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's comeback is vital for a club facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of winning a trophy this season.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches 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 engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not expected return from a lower body issue until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last term, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been available since 2023, and players who sported it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his record, 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 hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
