Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Aim to Solve Striker Issues
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the recent acquisition's availability is important for a club facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of securing honors this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three setups in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, 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 questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea face broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his past two matches, but earlier found the net just once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen games in every tournament no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers feel the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and players who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, 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 goals in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
