Delap Returns as The Blues Look to Address Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The West London club were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's strikers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is vital for a side facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of securing honors this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite interest from Manchester United, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Seleção attacker notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of three squad members - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face wider issues in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has zero strikes and a single assist in 10 matches. 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 moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling youth product 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 goal and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.
"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."