Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Forward Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.

The West London club were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "not the best".

Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca commented the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the summer signing's return is crucial for a club facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of securing honors this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite interest from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Everton.

Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.

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

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is important. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, notably in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea deal with broader problems apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is unlikely to be back from a lower body issue until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last campaign, is still to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no striker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea followers believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since recently, and players who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.

"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."