Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Look to Address Forward Concerns
Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.
The West London club suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "below standard".
Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the young striker will be phased in "gradually", and the new recruit's availability is crucial for a club facing scrutiny over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of securing honors this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "shielded".
When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, especially in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront wider issues beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until the winter.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - matching academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is without a goal this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.
After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last season."
Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this campaign.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been available since recently, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches
A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."
