🔗 Share this article Delap Back in Action as The Blues Look to Address Forward Concerns Liam Delap registered his sole strike for Chelsea at the Club World Cup during the summer months Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea. The Blues lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "below standard". Chelsea's forwards are struggling for goals and key passes as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on Wednesday (evening kickoff), having sat out 10 fixtures since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in last month. Maresca stated the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the new recruit's comeback is crucial for a side facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this campaign. Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro Delap (to the left) and Joao Pedro arrived at Chelsea this off-season for a total £85 million Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite attention from Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and the Toffees. Yet the England Under-21s forward was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause. Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton. More lately, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca said he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected". When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this league." "Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the City striker." Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack Chelsea deal with broader problems apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's goalless run. Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all campaign and is not anticipated to feature from a lower body issue until the winter. Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica. Estevao Willian, 18, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has just two strikes and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George. Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each. Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last campaign, is still to score this season. Winger Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the initial ten fixtures. After 13 matches in various cups no forward has more than two goals, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals. Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the offense, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term." Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the first team to have ten various goalscorers in the first division this campaign. Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift? Khalid Boulahrouz didn't find the net while wearing the number nine for Chelsea Some Chelsea supporters believe the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is jinxed. It had been available since last year, and squad members 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 58 games Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 appearances Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 games Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 games Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in 25 appearances Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 appearances A midfielder and backline player are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine. But Delap was unconcerned when questioned about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition. "At the end of the day it's a number on the back of your shirt. It's just a digit that has traditionally been associated to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."