Delap Returns as Chelsea Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.
Yet the young English striker was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, notably in this league."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea deal with wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until the winter.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but earlier got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last season."
Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?
Some Chelsea supporters believe the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and players who donned it since 2006 have struggled for goals, 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 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances
A engine room operator and defender are included in this group, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.
But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a digit that has always been related to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no added burden."
