Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Attacking Problems

Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his squad's passes being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (evening kickoff), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca said the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's availability is important for a team facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their primary hope of claiming silverware this campaign.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite attention from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Everton.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, notably in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and give assists but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea deal with broader problems in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one assist - matching academy forward Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his last two games, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

After 13 matches in all competitions no attacker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last season."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this campaign.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since recently, and players who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A midfielder and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine.

But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup.

"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a figure that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."