Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "below standard".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in August.
Maresca said the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's availability is important for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite attention from Manchester United, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored 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 currently need to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until the winter.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in 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 matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and a single assist - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last term, is still to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no striker has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last season."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since recently, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A central player and backline player are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a number that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
