🔗 Share this article Delap Makes Comeback as Stamford Bridge Side Look to Address Forward Concerns Liam Delap scored his only goal for Chelsea at the global competition during the warm season Striker Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea. The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "below standard". Chelsea's strikers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), having sat out 10 fixtures since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August. Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be phased in "carefully", and the summer signing's return is vital for a team facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of claiming silverware this season. Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro joined Chelsea this summer transfer window for a aggregate £85m Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite interest from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Everton. Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause. Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls. More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected". When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is important. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this division." "Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes each year. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to players who get 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland." Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line Chelsea face additional challenges in addition to their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run. Attacker Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is unlikely to be back from a groin injury until next month. Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica. Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since joining from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and a single assist - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George. Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each. Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last term, is without a goal this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but before that scored only once in the first 10 games. After thirteen fixtures in various cups no attacker has above two scores, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four. Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the manner we achieved last term." Maresca has found ways to compete despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Blues are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this season. Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift? Khalid Boulahrouz failed to score while sporting the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea fans think the center-forward number - assigned to Delap in the summer - is cursed. It had been available since recently, and footballers who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 games Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 games Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in seventy-two matches Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches 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 goal in 25 appearances Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 games A central player and defender are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey. But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he said at the Club World Cup. "Ultimately it's a number on the back of your uniform. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."