Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his squad's passes being "below standard".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a side facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of securing honors this season.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite attention from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of three squad members - 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: "For sure the physical part is crucial. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the City striker."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea deal with broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a lower body issue until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last term, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his last two games, but earlier got only one goal in the first 10 games.
After 13 matches in various cups no striker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this season.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea fans believe the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
- 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 scores in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while legendary strikers 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 international tournament.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."
