Delap Back in Action as The Blues Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (prime time), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the young striker will be phased in "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, the Magpies and the Toffees.
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 good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is crucial. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but before that scored only once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and footballers who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a digit that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."
