🔗 Share this article

Striker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the summer signing's comeback is crucial for a club facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of securing honors this season.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".

When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "Definitely the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not 100% it's hard to perform, especially in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront broader problems in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has shown promise since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - 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 defensive position last campaign, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that scored only once in the first 10 games.

After 13 matches in all competitions no striker has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.

Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea supporters believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and players who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games

A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, 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 striker's jersey.

But Delap was unfazed when asked about the curse. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the international tournament.

"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's zero expectation."