Delap Back in Action as The Blues Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".

Chelsea's strikers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the young striker will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the new recruit's availability is important for a team facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, notably in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea deal with additional challenges beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until December.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and a single assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is still to score this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen games in all competitions no striker has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last term."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this term.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers believe the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches

A engine room operator and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unfazed when asked about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.

"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."