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Attacker Liam Delap is returning from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The West London club were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are having difficulty finding the net and key passes as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the success over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the young striker will be phased in "slowly", and the new recruit's availability is crucial for a team facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of securing honors this term.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for thirty million pounds despite attention from Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.

Yet the young English striker was below £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this summer's Club World Cup - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Brazilian forward added two more goals and three setups in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "shielded".

When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, particularly in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to ones that score 20 to 25 goals every season like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Offense

Chelsea deal with broader problems in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's drought.

Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until December.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has failed to score and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has entertained since arriving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has merely two scores and one assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.

Striker Marc Guiu and Seagulls temporary signing Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is without a goal this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his previous two fixtures, but prior to that got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

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 goals.

Queried whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. We said many times that the five players at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the manner we achieved last term."

Maresca has discovered methods to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the first team to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this term.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea fans think the striker's jersey - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is cursed. It had been vacant since 2023, and footballers who donned it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
• 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) - one goal in 25 games
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in 20 games

A engine room operator and defender are part of this selection, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his achievement, while famous attackers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.

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

"In the final analysis it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a figure that has historically been connected to attackers so it's something that I like and there's no pressure."