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Attacker Liam Delap is recovering from a thigh problem at a time of need for Chelsea.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at their home ground on Saturday, with boss Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his team's delivery being "subpar".

Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on this week (prime time), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca commented the young striker will be gradually introduced "gradually", and the new recruit's comeback is vital for a club facing questions over their unpredictability, which has left the cup competitions their primary hope of winning a trophy this term.

Delap to Share Load With Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from Ipswich Town for a £30 million fee despite interest from the Red Devils, Newcastle United and Goodison Park team.

Yet the Three Lions prospect was below £55m signing Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this global competition - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three matches as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the USA. The Seleção attacker scored another two and three setups in his first four Premier League games after arriving from Brighton.

More of late, however, Joao Pedro has not scored in his past seven matches. Maresca revealed he is one of three squad members - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who presently require to be "protected".

When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca said: "Certainly the physical part is important. When you are not at peak condition it's challenging to excel, particularly in this league."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals each year. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals each year like the Polish striker, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Broader Issues in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea face broader problems in addition to their forwards and Joao Pedro's goalless run.

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

Winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has zero strikes and one assist in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one score in seven matches and forced an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, eighteen, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has just two strikes and one assist - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.

Attacker Marc Guiu and loan signing Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from full-back last term, is still to score this term. Wide man Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but before that found the net just once in the first 10 games.

After 13 matches in every tournament no striker has more than two goals, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.

Asked whether a absence of prolific strikers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca said: "Certainly, yes. We frequently mentioned that the front five at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the fashion we managed last term."

Maresca has discovered methods to challenge despite goal-scoring variability. Chelsea are runner-up in free-kick and corner scores in the top flight, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Blues are the initial club to have ten various goalscorers in the Premier League this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

Some Chelsea supporters think the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been vacant since recently, and players who wore it since 2006 have had goal droughts, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 appearances
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five goals in 19 appearances
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in 72 appearances
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in twelve matches
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 goals in one hundred seventy-two matches
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - zero strikes in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in twenty matches

A midfielder and defensive specialist are part of this selection, and some would contend Abraham lifted the hoodoo with his performance, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.

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

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