Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Attacking Problems

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

The West London club lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's availability is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of securing honors this term.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Manchester United, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When queried about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront broader problems in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his last two games, but before that scored only once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen games in all competitions no striker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last season."

Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and footballers who wore it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:

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

A midfielder and backline player are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine.

But Delap was unmoved when questioned about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.

"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a figure that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no added burden."