Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Aim to Solve Forward Concerns

Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "subpar".

Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August.

Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is crucial for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this term.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

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

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, notably in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line

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

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is not expected return from a groin problem until next month.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and a single assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and forced an own goal 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 setup - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last season, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his past two matches, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.

After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We said many times that the five players at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in dead-ball situations in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea supporters think the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been available since recently, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games

A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.

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

"At the end of the day 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 appreciate and there's no added burden."