Delap Returns as Chelsea Seek to Fix Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the recent acquisition's return is crucial for a club facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the young English striker was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the conditioning element is important. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, particularly in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea deal with broader problems beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.
Attacker 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, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last campaign, is without a goal this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his last two games, but before that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last term."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the curse. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
