Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "not the best".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca stated the young striker will be slowly integrated "gradually", and the new recruit's availability is important for a team facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this term.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, particularly in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront wider issues in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until the winter.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals 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 without a goal this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After thirteen fixtures in various cups no forward has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
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, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers think the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since 2023, and squad members who sported it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A engine room operator and backline player are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a figure that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
