Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Seek to Fix Striker Issues
Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "not the best".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's availability is important for a side facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign.
Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from the Red Devils, St James' Park side and Everton.
Yet the young English striker was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with valid cause.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".
When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Certainly the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."
Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line
Chelsea deal with additional challenges apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.
Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign 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 zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, the teenager, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last campaign, is still to score this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two assists in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After thirteen fixtures in every tournament no forward has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.
Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last term."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this term.
Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?
Some Chelsea followers believe the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
- Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
- Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
- Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A midfielder and backline player are included in this group, and some would suggest Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey.
But Delap was unfazed when asked about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a digit on the shirt of your kit. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."
