Delap Returns as Chelsea Aim to Solve Forward Concerns
Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and key passes as Delap is back available in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the success over Fulham in last month.
Maresca stated the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the summer signing's comeback is crucial for a side facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of securing honors this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is important. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea deal with wider issues in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a lower body issue until the winter.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and a single assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no attacker has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last term."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans believe the center-forward number - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been vacant since last year, and squad members who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances
A central player and defensive specialist are included in this group, 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 striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament.
"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
