Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the young striker will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's comeback is vital for a club facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with additional challenges in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Winger Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a lower body issue until next month.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and a single assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen games in all competitions no forward has more than two goals, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers 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 challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters feel the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
- 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 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A central player and defender are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."
