🔗 Share this article Delap Returns as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Striker Issues Liam Delap registered his sole strike for Chelsea at the international tournament during the summer months Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea. The West London club were beaten 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "not the best". Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having sat out 10 fixtures since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in August. Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's availability is vital for a club facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this season. Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro joined Chelsea this summer for a total £85 million Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite interest from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and the Toffees. Yet the England Under-21s forward was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this global competition - and with solid justification. Joao Pedro found the net three times in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazil striker notched additional strikes 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 said he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded". When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "For sure the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this league." "Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine." Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense Chelsea face broader problems in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought. Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until December. Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist 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, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and one assist - matching youth product Tyrique George. Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each. Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his last two games, but prior to that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures. After 13 matches in every tournament no forward has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes. Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last season." Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one less than Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the first team to have ten various goalscorers in the top flight this term. Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift? Khalid Boulahrouz failed to score while bearing the nine shirt for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers think the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been available since 2023, and footballers who sported it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in eighty-two matches Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike 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) - no goals in 20 appearances A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey. But Delap was unfazed when asked about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament. "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 like and there's no pressure."