Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Look to Address Forward Concerns
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), 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 phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is crucial for a side facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of securing honors this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind ÂŁ55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three assists in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential ÂŁ52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a ÂŁ40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a ÂŁ51m package, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but earlier got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in every tournament no striker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who wore it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A central player and backline player 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 flourished with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
