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Striker Liam Delap is returning from a hamstring injury at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a 2-1 defeat against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca attributing "a lack of creativity" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and assists as Delap returns in the Carabao Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (prime time), having been absent for 10 matches since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in August.

Maresca said the young striker will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's return is vital for a team facing criticism over their unpredictability, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Tractor Boys for £30m despite pursuit by the Red Devils, the Magpies and Goodison Park team.

Yet the young English striker was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the pecking order at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Brazilian forward notched additional strikes and three setups in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless 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 at the moment demand to be "protected".

When asked about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca commented: "Certainly the physical part is vital. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to reach twenty strikes every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and give assists but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or the City striker."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront wider issues in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Winger Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all season and is unlikely to be back from a groin problem until the winter.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one goal in seven games and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has entertained since moving from Palmeiras for a fee rising to £51m, but has only two goals and one assist - matching homegrown talent Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who notched seven from defensive position last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two setups in his last two games, but earlier got only one goal in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen fixtures in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's joint top scorers with four.

Queried whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the offense, we need six, seven, eight, nine, 10 goals each, in the way we have done last term."

Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the Premier League, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

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

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in fifty-eight matches
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 games
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 appearances
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one goal in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A engine room operator and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with the striker's jersey.

But Delap was unconcerned when asked about the jinx. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he said at the international tournament.

"In the final analysis it's a digit on the shirt of your uniform. It's just a digit that has historically been connected to strikers so it's something that I appreciate and there's no pressure."