🔗 Share this article Delap Returns as The Blues Look to Address Striker Issues Liam Delap found the net for Chelsea at the international tournament during the summer months Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea. The Blues were beaten 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his side's crossing being "below standard". Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in last month. Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's return is vital for a team facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign. Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro signed for Chelsea this off-season for a aggregate £85m Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team. Yet the young English striker was behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason. Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the America. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after joining from Brighton. More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "shielded". When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca commented: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, particularly in this division." "Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the City striker." Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense Chelsea confront wider issues apart from their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run. Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all term and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until December. Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica. Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one assist - paralleling homegrown talent Tyrique George. Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece. Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but before that found the net just once in the opening ten matches. After thirteen games in every tournament no striker has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals. Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the front five at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the way we have done last season." Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in dead-ball situations in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this campaign. Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End? Khalid Boulahrouz was goalless while bearing the nine shirt for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and players who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 appearances Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 appearances Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in twenty matches A midfielder and defender are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled 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 international tournament. "Ultimately it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a number that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no added burden."