🔗 Share this article Delap Makes Comeback as Chelsea Look to Address Forward Concerns Liam Delap registered his sole strike for Chelsea at the Club World Cup during the summer months Striker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea. The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "not the best". Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer. Maresca said the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the recent acquisition's availability is crucial for a club facing criticism over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of securing honors this season. Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro Delap (on the left) and Joao Pedro joined Chelsea this summer transfer window for a total £85 million Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton. Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification. Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the USA. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton. More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of three players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully". When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, notably in this league." "Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the City striker." Broader Issues in Chelsea's Offense Chelsea confront additional challenges apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought. Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a lower body issue until December. Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has failed to score and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica. Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George. Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece. Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last term, is without a goal this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but before that scored only once in the opening ten matches. After 13 matches in all competitions no striker has over two strikes, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four. Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last campaign." Maresca has found ways to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this season. Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift? Khalid Boulahrouz failed to score while wearing the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers think the striker's jersey - assigned to Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been vacant since recently, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 appearances Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games 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 games Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances A central player and backline player are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with nine on their back. But Delap was unfazed when queried about the curse. "I'm not the type of person [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 uniform. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."