Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Attacking Problems

Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "subpar".

Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca commented the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the summer signing's return is vital for a side facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite interest from the Red Devils, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.

More lately, 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 at the moment demand to be "protected".

When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "For sure the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, especially in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times annually. 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 each year like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea face wider issues in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Winger Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, 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 matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen games in various cups no forward has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes.

Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last season."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this season.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea supporters believe the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A central player and defender are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.

"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a number that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."