Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a team facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of securing honors this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea face additional challenges beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and one setup - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last term, is yet to find the net this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans think the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and footballers 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 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A engine room operator and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo 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 curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."
