Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca stated the emerging talent will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's return is crucial for a team facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront additional challenges apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin problem until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled 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 commented at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
