Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss 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 goal contributions as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the summer signing's comeback is vital for a side facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
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 engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Certainly the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea deal with broader problems apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this season. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea fans believe the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and players who donned it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games
A central player and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a number that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
