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

The Stamford Bridge outfit were beaten 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his squad's passes being "below standard".

Chelsea's attackers are struggling for goals and goal contributions as Delap makes his comeback in the League Cup against bottom-half Wolves on midweek (evening kickoff), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be phased in "carefully", and the recent acquisition's comeback is crucial for a club facing criticism over their mixed results, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Take Pressure Off Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from the Tractor Boys for a £30 million fee despite attention from Manchester United, the Magpies and Everton.

Yet the England Under-21s forward was behind expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with valid cause.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Seleção attacker added two more goals and three assists in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca said he is one of three players - along with engine room operators Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's difficult to compete, particularly in this division."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to net twenty times each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or the Norwegian goal machine."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront wider issues beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

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

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and induced an opposition error against Benfica.

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

Forward Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have one score each.

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from left-back last term, is yet to find the net this campaign. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

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

Questioned whether a absence of prolific strikers means duties need distributing, Maresca stated: "Absolutely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last season."

Maresca has discovered methods to be competitive despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.

Is the Number Nine Hoodoo About to Lift?

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

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three strikes in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five strikes in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 goals in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in sixteen matches
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - failed to score in 20 appearances

A midfielder and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his record, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the striker's jersey.

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

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