Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "not the best".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be phased in "slowly", and the recent acquisition's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of securing honors this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite interest from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Certainly the conditioning element is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Winger Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his last two games, but earlier found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no striker has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Queried whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the five players at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers feel the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been available since last year, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores 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 twenty matches
A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."
