Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".

Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (prime time), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in August.

Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's return is important for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Manchester United, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, [Kylian] Mbappe or the City striker."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront wider issues beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his last two games, but earlier found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.

After 13 matches in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Queried whether a shortage of clinical finishers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."

Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this season.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea fans believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and defender are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.

"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a digit that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."