Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Striker Issues
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "limited inventiveness" and his squad's passes being "not the best".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the summer signing's return is important for a club facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazil striker scored another two and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea face broader problems in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in all competitions no striker 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 commented: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the front five at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive 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 initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.
But Delap was unfazed when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a number that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."
