Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Look to Address Forward Concerns

Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Blues lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the young striker will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this term.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Everton.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "For sure the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, notably in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea deal with broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not expected return from a lower body issue until the winter.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no striker has above two scores, with engine room operators 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 said: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last season."

Maresca has found ways to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this term.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches

A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.

But Delap was unmoved when queried about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.

"Ultimately it's a digit on the shirt of your shirt. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."