Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.

Maresca said the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a team facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from the Red Devils, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three assists in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "For sure the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea deal with wider issues beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not expected return from a groin injury until December.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.

Queried whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last season."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and players who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches

A midfielder and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament.

"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."