🔗 Share this article

Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.

Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be phased in "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is important for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes and three assists in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.

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

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

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals every season like [Robert] Lewandowski, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea confront additional challenges beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until the winter.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and a single assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last term, is still to score this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his past two matches, but earlier got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

After 13 matches in various cups no attacker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the front, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last term."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers believe the striker's jersey - taken by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been vacant since 2023, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games

A midfielder and backline player are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the global competition.

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