Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "below standard".
Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of securing honors this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "handled carefully".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, particularly in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea deal with wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until next month.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one setup - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last season, is without a goal this season. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.
After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been available since recently, and squad members who wore it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
