🔗 Share this article Delap Back in Action as Stamford Bridge Side Seek to Fix Attacking Problems Liam Delap scored his only goal for Chelsea at the Club World Cup during the warm season Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his squad's passes being "below standard". Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in the summer. Maresca commented the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the new recruit's availability is important for a club facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this term. Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro Delap (on the left) and Joao Pedro signed for Chelsea this off-season for a total £85 million Chelsea acquired Delap from the Tractor Boys for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Everton. Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause. Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls. More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his past seven matches. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected". When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, especially in this league." "Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, [Kylian] Mbappe or the Norwegian goal machine." Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line Chelsea confront additional challenges beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's drought. Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month. Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica. Estevao Willian, eighteen, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one setup - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George. Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each. Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last season, is without a goal this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but earlier found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures. After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no attacker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes. Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign." Maresca has found ways to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the English top division, one behind Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this term. Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End? Khalid Boulahrouz was goalless while sporting the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea fans think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the summer - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and squad members who donned it since 2006 have found scoring difficult, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in eighty-two matches Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 games Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 games A engine room operator and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the striker's jersey. But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition. "In the final analysis it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a figure that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no added burden."