Delap Back in Action as The Blues Seek to Fix Striker Issues

Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap is back available in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in August.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, notably in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a fantastic player, 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 Polish striker, the PSG forward or the City striker."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea deal with broader problems in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the fashion we managed last season."

Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this term.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea supporters believe the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been vacant since last year, and squad members who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games

A central player and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.

But Delap was unfazed when asked about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.

"At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."