Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Aim to Solve Attacking Problems
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the summer signing's availability is important for a side facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "For sure the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and give assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the French superstar or the City striker."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea confront broader problems apart from 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 December.
Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven games and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and a single assist - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen games in every tournament no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the offense, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea fans feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been vacant since last year, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- 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 strikes in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches
A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.
"In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."
