Delap Returns as The Blues Look to Address Forward Concerns
Forward Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "below standard".
Chelsea's strikers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca stated the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's comeback is vital for a team facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.
Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro
Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro found the net three times in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazil striker scored another two and three setups in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea face additional challenges in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Winger Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not expected return from a groin problem until the winter.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.
After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four strikes.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea followers think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and squad members who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games
A engine room operator and backline player are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine.
But Delap was unfazed when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a digit that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."
