Delap Returns as Chelsea Look to Address Attacking Problems
Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the emerging talent will be phased in "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a team facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their best opportunity of winning a trophy this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazil striker scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, notably in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea deal with wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has just two strikes and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his last two games, but earlier found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no attacker has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the front five at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."
Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the Blues are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans believe the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and players who donned it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a number that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."
