Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Striker Issues
Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's availability is vital for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite attention from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the young English striker was below expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea confront wider issues in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Winger Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - matching youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Queried whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the front five at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since recently, and players who wore it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A midfielder and defender are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."
