🔗 Share this article Delap Makes Comeback as The Blues Seek to Fix Attacking Problems Liam Delap found the net for Chelsea at the global competition during the summer months Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard". Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month. Maresca said the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is important for a club facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of securing honors this term. Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro joined Chelsea this summer transfer window for a combined £85m Chelsea signed Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Everton. Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with good reason. Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton. More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "handled carefully". When questioned about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "Certainly the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's challenging to excel, especially in this competition." "Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or the Norwegian goal machine." Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line Chelsea face broader problems apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak. Winger Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until next month. Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has zero strikes and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven outings and forced an own goal against Benfica. Estevao Willian, 18, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and a single assist - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George. Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece. Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last season, is still to score this term. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but earlier scored only once in the initial ten fixtures. After thirteen fixtures in all competitions no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four. Questioned whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Certainly, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the front, we need multiple goals per player, in the fashion we managed last term." Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are runner-up in set-piece goals in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the West London club are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this season. Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken? Khalid Boulahrouz was goalless while bearing the nine shirt for Chelsea Some Chelsea followers think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been available since last year, and players who donned it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games 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) - no goals in sixteen matches Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games A engine room operator and backline player are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his record, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the number nine. But Delap was unfazed when queried about the jinx. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he stated at the international tournament. "At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a figure that has traditionally been associated to forwards so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."