Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca said the young striker will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the new recruit's comeback is important for a side facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and Everton.
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 appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward 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 Attack
Chelsea face additional challenges apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but before that got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in various cups no striker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers think the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who donned it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."