Delap Back in Action as Chelsea Look to Address Striker Issues
Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his squad's passes being "subpar".
Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in August.
Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the recent acquisition's availability is vital for a team facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of winning a trophy this campaign.
Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite interest from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.
Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with solid justification.
Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three assists in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".
When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this competition."
"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker."
Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense
Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.
Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not expected return from a groin problem until December.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - equaling youth product Tyrique George.
Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is still to score this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After 13 matches in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four goals.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last campaign."
Maresca has found ways to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the top flight this term.
Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?
Some Chelsea supporters think the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and players who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
- Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals 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 seventy-two matches
- Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
- Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in one hundred seventy-two matches
- Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
- Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
- Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
A midfielder and backline player are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine.
But Delap was unmoved when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament.
"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."