Chelsea FC are set to welcome back striker Liam Delap from a hamstring injury, a much-needed boost for the team that has been struggling with its forward line. The Blues' recent 2-1 loss to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge highlighted their lack of creativity and subpar crossing, according to manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea's forwards have been grappling with a dearth of goals and assists, making Delap's return in the Carabao Cup fixture against Wolves on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) all the more crucial. The 22-year-old striker had missed ten games since sustaining his injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham in August.
Maresca plans to phase Delap back into the squad "gradually". His return could be pivotal for a team facing criticism over their inconsistency. With domestic cups being their most realistic shot at winning a trophy this season, having an effective striker is paramount.
Delap vs Joao Pedro
Delap was signed from Ipswich Town for £30m amidst interest from Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton. However, he found himself behind £55m signing Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this summer's Club World Cup - but not without reason.
Joao Pedro had an impressive start with Chelsea; scoring three goals in three appearances as they clinched the tournament title in the United States. The Brazilian striker continued his form by adding two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.
However, Joao Pedro has recently hit a dry spell; failing to score in his past seven matches. Maresca mentioned that he is one among three players - including midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, said:
"For sure the physical part is important. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, especially in this league. Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."
Potential turning point
Delap's return could potentially alleviate some of the pressure off Joao Pedro and provide a much-needed spark to Chelsea's attack. His comeback is not just about adding another player to the roster, but also about injecting fresh energy and dynamism into a team that has been struggling for consistency.
While Delap's return is eagerly anticipated, it remains crucial for Chelsea to address their overall performance issues. The Blues will need all their players firing on all cylinders if they are to turn around their season and make a serious challenge for trophies.
