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Attacker Liam Delap is coming back from a muscle issue at a important period for Chelsea.

The Blues lost 2-1 against shock contenders Sunderland at their stadium on recently, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing "insufficient imagination" and his team's delivery being "below standard".

Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and goal contributions as Delap returns in the League Cup against struggling Wolves on Wednesday (prime time), having missed 10 games since suffering the setback in the success over Fulham in the summer.

Maresca commented the 22-year-old will be gradually introduced "slowly", and the summer signing's return is crucial for a club facing scrutiny over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this season.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea brought in Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, Newcastle United and the Toffees.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this recent international tournament - and with good reason.

Joao Pedro scored three goals in three outings as Chelsea won the inaugural tournament in the United States. The Seleção attacker notched additional strikes and three goal contributions in his first four Premier League games after joining from Brighton.

More recently, however, Joao Pedro has been goalless in his last seven games. Maresca revealed he is one of three players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who at the moment demand to be "handled carefully".

When asked about Joao Pedro's dip in form, Maresca said: "For sure the fitness aspect is vital. When you are not fully fit it's difficult to compete, especially in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a fantastic player, he's going to find the net and create chances but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like the Polish striker, the PSG forward or [Erling] Haaland."

Wider Problems in Chelsea's Forward Line

Chelsea face broader problems beyond their attackers and Joao Pedro's drought.

Attacker Cole Palmer has completed two games all term and is not expected return from a groin problem until December.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has no goals and one assist in ten appearances. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m acquisition from Manchester United, has one goal in seven matches and caused an own goal against Benfica.

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

Attacker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.

Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last term, is yet to find the net this term. Winger Pedro Neto has one score and two goal contributions in his previous two fixtures, but before that found the net just once in the opening ten matches.

After thirteen games in various cups no attacker has over two strikes, with engine room operators Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means responsibility must be shared, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We repeatedly stated that the quintet of attackers at the attack, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last term."

Maresca has developed approaches to challenge despite offensive unpredictability. Chelsea are second place for dead-ball situations in the top flight, trailing by one Arsenal. In moreover, the Stamford Bridge side are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this term.

Can Chelsea's Striker Jinx End?

Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - claimed by Delap in the summer - is hexed. It had been unoccupied since last year, and players who sported it since the mid-2000s have struggled for goals, including:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - a trio of scores in 21 games
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - 15 goals in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 goals in 82 games
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - twenty-four strikes in seventy-two matches
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one score in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): 45 scores in 172 appearances
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - no goals in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - a single strike in 25 appearances
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - zero strikes in twenty matches

A midfielder and defensive specialist are included in this group, and some would argue Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while iconic forwards such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink excelled with the number nine.

But Delap was unconcerned when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not one [who believes in curses]," he commented at the Club World Cup.

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