🔗 Share this article Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Attacking Problems Liam Delap registered his sole strike for Chelsea at the Club World Cup during the warm season Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea. The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "below standard". Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month. Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the recent acquisition's return is vital for a side facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their best opportunity of winning a trophy this term. Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro signed for Chelsea this off-season for a combined £85m Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton. Yet the young English striker was second to £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with valid cause. Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the USA. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three assists in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton. More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. 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 drop in output, Maresca commented: "Definitely the conditioning element is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, particularly in this division." "Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine." Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line Chelsea deal with broader problems apart from their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak. Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a groin injury until December. Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes 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 entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has only two goals and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George. Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each. Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last season, is without a goal this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his last two games, but before that scored only once in the first 10 games. After 13 matches in all competitions no forward has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four strikes. Asked whether a shortage of clinical finishers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last term." Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the Blues are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the first division this season. Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken? Khalid Boulahrouz was goalless while sporting the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and squad members who sported it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 games Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in one hundred seventy-two matches Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in sixteen matches Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances A midfielder and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished 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. "Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's zero expectation."