Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Forward Concerns
Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is important for a side facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from the Red Devils, the Magpies and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When queried about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "Definitely the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, especially in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has just two strikes and one setup - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After 13 matches in all competitions no striker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last season."
Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied 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 twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."
