Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Aim to Solve Attacking Problems

Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the Carabao Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be phased in "gradually", and the new recruit's return is vital for a club facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite attention from Manchester United, St James' Park side and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his initial four top-flight matches after joining from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "handled carefully".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the conditioning element is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially 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 score and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea face broader problems beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is not expected return from a lower body issue until next month.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but before that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.

After thirteen games in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last season."

Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this season.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea supporters feel the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been available since recently, and squad members who donned it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games

A central player and defender are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.

"Ultimately it's a number on the back of your kit. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."