Liam Delap Returns to Chelsea Amid Striker Struggles
Striker Liam Delap makes his return from a hamstring injury just as Chelsea faces critical challenges.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat to the unexpected Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Manager Enzo Maresca attributed the loss to a "lack of creativity" and noted that his team’s crossing was "not the best."
With Chelsea's forwards struggling to find the net, Delap's return is timely ahead of their Carabao Cup encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday at 19:45 GMT.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined for the last ten matches following an injury sustained during a 2-0 victory over Fulham on August 30.
Maresca indicated that Delap will be gradually integrated back into the team, emphasizing the importance of his return as Chelsea grapples with criticism over their inconsistent performances. The domestic cups now present their most viable opportunity for silverware this season.
Delap Expected to Alleviate Pressure on Joao Pedro
Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for £30 million, despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Everton.
However, Delap was positioned behind £55 million signing Joao Pedro in the lineup during this summer's Club World Cup, where Joao Pedro scored three goals in as many appearances, helping Chelsea secure the tournament title in the United States. The Brazilian striker also netted two goals and provided three assists in his first four Premier League matches after joining from Brighton.
Recently, though, Joao Pedro has been unable to score in his last seven outings. Maresca mentioned that he, along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, requires "protection" at this time.
When asked by BBC Sport about Joao Pedro's recent struggles, Maresca remarked, "The physical aspect is crucial. Competing at 100% is essential, especially in this league. Joao Pedro is not a traditional number nine who will score 20 goals every season. He is a fantastic player who will contribute with goals and assists, but his style differs from prolific scorers like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe, or [Erling] Haaland."
Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack
Chelsea is contending with more significant issues beyond Joao Pedro's goal drought.
Forward Cole Palmer has played only two full matches this season and is not expected to return from a groin injury until December. Meanwhile, winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee potentially rising to £52 million, has recorded no goals and just one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million addition from Manchester United, has managed one goal in seven matches and contributed to an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since his arrival from Palmeiras for a fee that could reach £51 million, yet he has only two goals and one assist, matching academy forward Tyrique George. Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte each have one goal to their names. Marc Cucurella, who netted seven times from left-back last season, has yet to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has scored one goal and provided two assists in his last two matches, but prior to that, he had only one goal in the first ten games.
After 13 matches across all competitions, no forward has scored more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo currently tied as Chelsea's top scorers, each with four goals.
When asked if the absence of natural goalscorers necessitates shared responsibility among the players, Maresca affirmed, "Absolutely. We have consistently stated that the five attacking players need to contribute six, seven, eight, nine, or even ten goals each, as we did last season."
Despite the attacking inconsistency, Maresca has found ways to keep the team competitive. Chelsea ranks second in the Premier League for set-piece goals, just one behind Arsenal, and they are the first team this season to feature ten different scorers in the league.
Can Chelsea Break the Number Nine Curse?
Some Chelsea supporters speculate that the number nine shirt, which Delap took on this summer, is cursed. The jersey was vacant since 2023, and players who have worn it since 2006 have faced challenges in scoring, including:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games
Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15) - 45 goals in 172 games
Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games
The list includes both midfielders and defenders, and while some argue that Abraham broke the curse with his record, legendary strikers like Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived while wearing the number nine shirt.
However, Delap remains unfazed by the notion of a curse. "I’m not the type of person who believes in curses," he stated during the Club World Cup. "At the end of the day, it’s just a number on the back of your shirt. It’s a number that has always been associated with strikers, which I like, and I don’t feel any pressure."