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Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a muscle issue at a crucial moment for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against surprise package Sunderland at their stadium on the weekend, with manager Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's strikers are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap is back available in the Carabao Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the victory over Fulham in last month.

Maresca stated the emerging talent will be phased in "gradually", and the summer signing's availability is vital for a club facing scrutiny over their unpredictability, which has left the national tournaments their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite pursuit by Manchester United, Newcastle United and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was behind £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro registered a trio of strikes in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the America. The Brazil striker scored another two and three goal contributions in his opening quartet of league fixtures after arriving from Brighton.

More lately, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca stated he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".

When questioned about Joao Pedro's decline in performance, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the physical part is crucial. When you are not at peak condition it's difficult to compete, especially in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a classic center-forward that is going to reach twenty strikes annually. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a different kind of nine to those who net 20 to 25 goals each year like the Bayern legend, the PSG forward or the City striker."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea confront broader problems in addition to their attackers and Joao Pedro's scoreless streak.

Forward Cole Palmer has completed two games all season and is not anticipated to feature from a groin problem until next month.

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, acquired from Borussia Dortmund for a potential £52 million deal, has no goals and one goal contribution in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since joining from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has merely two scores and one setup - paralleling youth product Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from full-back last term, is yet to find the net this season. Wide man Pedro Neto has a single strike and two setups in his past two matches, but prior to that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.

After 13 matches in all competitions no striker 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 responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last season."

Maresca has found ways to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for free-kick and corner scores in the Premier League, trailing by one Arsenal. In furthermore, the Stamford Bridge side are the first team to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - assigned to Delap in the transfer window - is cursed. It had been available since last year, and squad members 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) - 15 scores in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - thirty strikes in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - a single strike in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 games
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches

A midfielder and defender are among those listed, and some would suggest Abraham ended the jinx with his record, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.

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

"At the end of the day it's a figure on the jersey of your kit. It's just a number that has traditionally been associated to strikers so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."