🔗 Share this article Delap Returns as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems Liam Delap registered his sole strike for Chelsea at the Club World Cup during the summer months Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard". Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August. Maresca said the emerging talent will be gradually introduced "carefully", and the summer signing's comeback is crucial for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of claiming silverware this campaign. Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro Delap (left) and Joao Pedro arrived at Chelsea this summer for a combined £85m Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite interest from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and the Toffees. Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with valid cause. Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton. More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of a trio of players - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "shielded". When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "For sure the physical part is crucial. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this league." "Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland." Broader Issues in Chelsea's Attack Chelsea confront additional challenges in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak. Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until the winter. Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and induced an opposition error against Benfica. Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one assist - paralleling academy forward Tyrique George. Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece. Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last season, is still to score this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two setups in his past two matches, but before that got only one goal in the first 10 games. After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four strikes. Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means goals must come from multiple sources, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last campaign." Maresca has found ways to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in dead-ball situations in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the first team to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this season. Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken? Khalid Boulahrouz didn't find the net while sporting the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers feel the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since recently, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in twenty-one matches Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in fifty-eight matches Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in nineteen matches Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances A engine room operator and defender are included in this group, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey. But Delap was unfazed when questioned about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the global competition. "Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your shirt. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."