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Striker Liam Delap is coming back from a thigh problem at a important period for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge outfit lost 2-1 against unexpected challengers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on recently, with manager Enzo Maresca blaming "limited inventiveness" and his side's crossing being "not the best".

Chelsea's forwards are having difficulty finding the net and assists as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against struggling Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since sustaining the injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham in last month.

Maresca said the emerging talent will be slowly integrated "slowly", and the recent acquisition's comeback is important for a team facing questions over their mixed results, which has left the domestic cups their most realistic chance of winning a trophy this campaign.

Delap to Ease Burden On Joao Pedro

Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for thirty million pounds despite pursuit by Old Trafford club, St James' Park side and Goodison Park team.

Yet the young English striker was second to expensive recruit Joao Pedro in the selection hierarchy at this recent international tournament - and with solid justification.

Joao Pedro found the net three times in three outings as Chelsea claimed the first edition in the America. The Brazil striker added two more goals and three goal contributions in his initial four top-flight matches after arriving from Brighton.

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

When questioned about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca remarked: "Definitely the conditioning element is crucial. When you are not fully fit it's hard to perform, particularly in this competition."

"Joao Pedro is not a number nine that is going to score 20 goals every season. Joao's a superb talent, he's going to get goals and create chances but he's a distinctive forward to ones that score 20 to 25 goals annually like the Bayern legend, the French superstar or [Erling] Haaland."

Additional Concerns in Chelsea's Attack

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

Attacker Cole Palmer has featured for ninety minutes twice all term and is not expected return from a groin injury until next month.

Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee rising to £52m, has failed to score and a single assist in ten games. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m recruit from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.

Estevao Willian, the teenager, has impressed since arriving from Palmeiras for a potential £51 million deal, but has only two goals and a single assist - equaling academy forward Tyrique George.

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

Marc Cucurella, who got seven from left-back last season, is yet to find the net this season. Attacking player Pedro Neto has one goal and two goal contributions in his past two matches, but prior to that found the net just once in the opening ten matches.

After 13 matches in all competitions no striker has above two scores, with central players Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's shared top goalscorers with four.

Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We said many times that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last campaign."

Maresca has developed approaches to be competitive despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the English top division, one less than Arsenal. In addition, the West London club are the initial club to have 10 different scorers in the first division this campaign.

Will Chelsea's Number Nine Curse Be Broken?

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

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022-23) - three goals in 21 appearances
• Romelu Lukaku (2021-22) - fifteen strikes in 58 games
• Tammy Abraham (2019-20, 2021-22) - 30 scores in 82 appearances
• Gonzalo Higuain (2018-19) - five scores in nineteen matches
• Alvaro Morata (2017-18) - 24 scores in 72 games
• Radamel Falcao (2015-16) - one goal in 12 games
• Fernando Torres (2010-11, 2014-15): forty-five strikes in 172 games
• Franco di Santo (2008-10) - failed to score in 16 appearances
• Steve Sidwell (2007-08) - one score in twenty-five matches
• Khalid Boulahrouz (2006-07) - no goals in 20 appearances

A midfielder and defender are included in this group, and some would contend Abraham broke the curse with his achievement, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thrived with the number nine.

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

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