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Forward Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's attackers are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the victory over Fulham in August.

Maresca said the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's return is crucial for a side facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their primary hope of securing honors this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m despite attention from Old Trafford club, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazilian forward scored another two and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after moving from the Seagulls.

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 engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When queried about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca said: "For sure the conditioning element is vital. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, notably in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea face wider issues beyond their forwards and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not expected return from a lower body issue until the winter.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - matching youth product Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from left-back last term, is without a goal this term. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but before that scored only once in the initial ten fixtures.

After 13 matches in every tournament no attacker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.

Questioned whether a shortage of clinical finishers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the front five at the attack, we need multiple goals per player, in the manner we achieved last season."

Maresca has found ways to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the West London club are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the Premier League this term.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea followers believe the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the off-season - is hexed. It had been available since 2023, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have found scoring difficult, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches

A central player and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with nine on their back.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the hoodoo. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.

"Ultimately it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to forwards so it's something that I like and there's no added burden."