Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Striker Issues

Forward Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Blues lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "subpar".

Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.

Maresca said the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is important for a team facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of securing honors this campaign.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by the Red Devils, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "For sure the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Winger Cole Palmer has completed two games all season 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 £52m package, has no goals and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and a single assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his last two games, but before that found the net just 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 equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."

Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, 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 supporters believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and squad members who donned it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games

A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.

"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."