Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is coming back from a hamstring injury at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the young striker will be phased in "carefully", and the new recruit's comeback is important for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of winning a trophy this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, particularly in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face broader problems in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward 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 a single strike in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last term."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been available since recently, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- 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 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A engine room operator and defender are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
