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Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a important period for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca blaming "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and goal contributions as Delap is back available in the League Cup against lowly Wolves on this week (prime time), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca commented the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the new recruit's comeback is crucial for a team facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by the Red Devils, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three assists in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his past seven matches. 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 questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, notably in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to find the net and give assists but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea face broader problems apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Forward Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until next month.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has merely two scores and one assist - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

Forward Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one goal each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from full-back last campaign, is yet to find the net this campaign. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but earlier scored only once in the opening ten matches.

After 13 matches in every tournament no attacker has more than two goals, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four goals.

Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the pioneering side to have ten distinct net-finders in the Premier League this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea followers feel the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since 2023, and players who wore it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his performance, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with nine on their back.

But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the jinx. "I don't believe [who believes in curses]," he stated at the Club World Cup.

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