Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Forward Concerns

Attacker Liam Delap is coming back from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.

The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "subpar".

Chelsea's strikers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap returns in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is vital for a team facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite attention from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.

Yet the young English striker was below expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking 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 America. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, particularly in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea face wider issues beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist 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, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his last two games, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no forward has over two strikes, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the front five at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this campaign.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers feel the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances

A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

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

"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."