Delap Back in Action as The Blues Look to Address Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The West London club lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the young striker will be phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is crucial for a side facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazil striker scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "For sure the physical part is important. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront broader problems apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.
Queried whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the first division this season.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games
A central player and backline player are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a figure that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."