Delap Returns as The Blues Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his squad's passes being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and goal contributions as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's availability is crucial for a club facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity 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 interest from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless 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 "shielded".
When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "Certainly the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in every tournament no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers feel the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and squad members who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A central player and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a number that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's no added burden."
