Delap Returns as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca said the young striker will be phased in "carefully", and the new recruit's availability is important for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of claiming silverware this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three assists in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to players who get 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face additional challenges apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is unlikely to be back from a lower body issue until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one setup - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in every tournament no attacker has over two strikes, 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 said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters think the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and squad members who donned it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A central player and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
