Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's return is important for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their best opportunity of securing honors this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Definitely the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea deal with additional challenges beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until December.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last season, is still to score this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but before that found the net just once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no forward has over two strikes, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Queried whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea followers feel the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since recently, and squad members who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and defender 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 unmoved when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"In the final analysis it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
