Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's return is vital for a team facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea deal with broader problems in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last term, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his past two matches, but earlier found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this season.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea followers believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. 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 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- 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 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your shirt. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
