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Striker Liam Delap is returning from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their home ground on recently, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "not the best".

Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap is back available in the EFL Cup against bottom-half Wolves on this week (prime time), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca said the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the recent acquisition's return is important for a team facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite attention from Manchester United, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three appearances as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after moving from the Seagulls.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score 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 dip in form, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, especially in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Attack

Chelsea face wider issues apart from their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

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

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and a single assist - equaling youth product Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from defensive position last campaign, is still to score this campaign. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two assists in his last two games, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no striker has over two strikes, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four goals.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca stated: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last campaign."

Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second for set-piece goals in the English top division, trailing by one Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the initial club to have ten distinct net-finders in the first division this season.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

Some Chelsea supporters feel the center-forward number - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been unoccupied since 2023, and squad members who wore it since the mid-2000s have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in twenty-one matches
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in eighty-two matches
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores 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) - zero strikes in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and backline player are among those listed, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unmoved when asked about the curse. "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 digit that has always been related to attackers so it's something that I enjoy and there's zero expectation."