Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.

The West London club were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "not the best".

Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August.

Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the summer signing's comeback is vital for a team facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

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

Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Seleção attacker notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of three squad members - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "shielded".

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

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea deal with broader problems in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one assist - matching youth product Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the first 10 games.

After 13 matches in various cups no striker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.

Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the Blues are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this term.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea supporters feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, 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) - thirty strikes in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unmoved when queried about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.

"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."