Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's return is vital for a club facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Seleção attacker 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 past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the physical part is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront additional challenges beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed 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 score in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last term, is still to score this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the first division this season.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans feel the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since last year, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- 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 seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A central player and defender are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
